THE ORDERS OF SERVICE 



AND 



MINISTERIAL ACTS 



OP THE 



NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH. 



MINNEAPOLIS. 
Augsburg Publishing House. 

1902. 



THTF\IBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Cowes Recsved 

AUG. 12 1902 

r COPVWGHT ENTRY 

ICLASS^XXa No. 

o ? 3 k3 

COPY 8. 



Copyright 1902, by 

Augsburg Publishing House. 

Minneapolis. 









TRANSLATORS NOTE. 

The following translation of the Norwegian Lutheran "Alter- 
bog" has been made at the^equejt.of the Publishing Committee 
of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. According to the 
instructions of this Committee the translation has departed from 
the text of the "Alterbog" by following the Orders of Service in 
the American Edition of "Landstad's Salmebog"; by incorporating 
that Form of the Litany which is used in the English-speaking 
Lutheran Churches of this country; by introducing a Form, pre- 
pared by Rev. G. Hoyme, for the Installation of a Pastor, and a 
Form for the Installation of Church Officers, taken from the Or- 
ders for Ministerial Acts as contained in the General Council 
"Church Book"; and, in a few instances, by adopting such ex- 
pressions as accord with the usages of the United Church. 

E. G. L. 



THE ORDER OF SERVICE 



i. 

THE MORNING SERVICE. 



A. The More Complete Order. 

If When the hour for Service is come, the Minister shall proceed to 
the Altar, while a short prelude is played on 4he organ. Then 
shall the Service begin with the following OpeningPrayer, which 
is read by the Assistant (Precentor) before the Chancel, while the 
Minister kneels at the Altar. 

i. The Opening Prayer. 

O LORD, we have come into this Thy holy house 
to hear what Thou, God the Father, our Creator, Thou 
Lord Jesus, our Saviour, Thou Holy Spirit, our Com- 
forter in life and in death, wilt say unto us. By Thy 
Holy Spirit, and for Christ's sake, O Lord, so open our 
hearts that we may learn to be sorry for our sins, to 
believe in life and in death on the Lord Jesus, and to 
make daily progress in holiness of life and conduct. 
Hear and answer us for Christ's sake. Amen. 

2. A Short Opening Hymn. 

\ The contents of this Hymn are deter?nined, esf ecially on the great 
Festivals, by the seasons of the Church Year. 

\ On ordinary Sundays the Hymn may be selected according to the 
Church Year, or be a general Hyni7i of Prayer. 

3a. The Confession of Sin. 

\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall say : 
Let us bow before the Lord and confess our sins. 



THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 



T[ Then the Minister, kneeling before the Altar, shall say : 

either: 

I, a poor sinner, confess unto Thee, holy and al- 
mighty God, my Creator and Redeemer, not only that 
I have sinned against Thee in thoughts, words, and 
deeds, but also that I have been conceived and born in 
sin, so that before Thee, O righteous God, I am alto- 
gether guilty and worthy of condemnation. I there- 
fore flee for refuge to Thine infinite mercy, and pray 
Thee for Christ's sake: God be merciful to me a 
sinner. Amen. 

or: 

HOLY God, heavenly Father: Look in mercy upon 
me, a poor, sinful man. I have provoked Thee by 
thoughts, words, and deeds, and know the evil desires 
that are in my heart. Have patience with me. For- 
give me all my sins, and grant that I may fear and love 
Thee alone. Lord have mercy upon me. Amen. 

3b. The Kyrie. 

\ The Congregation shall then sing a verse of the Litany : "Lord, 
have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have 
mercy upon us." Or a Litany Hymn may be sung. 

4. The Gloria. 

\ The Minister, turning to the A liar, shall intone :* 

Glory to God in the highest. 

Tf The Congregation shall sing : 

And on earth peace, good will toward men; 

% On the three great Festivals an appropriate Hymn shall then 
be sung by the Congregation. 

\ The Gloria may be omitted during Lent. 



* Remark. If the Minister possess little or no ability to sing, he 
should simply say the word « that occur here and at other corre. 
sponding points in the Service 



THE MORE COMPLETE ORDER. 



5. The Collect. 

If The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone : 

The Lord be with you. 

^f The Congregation responds : 

And with thy spirit. 

Tf The Jfinister shall say : 

Let us pray. 

^f Turning to the Altar he shall then intone the Collect for 
the day.* 

* If After the Collect the Congregation shall sing or say ; 

Amen. 

6. The Epistle. 

Tf The Minister, turning to the Congregation,, shall say ; "The Hi ty 
Epistle (Lesson) is written", etc. The Epistle (Lesson) is th-si 
read. 

\ 'At the reading of the Epistle the Congregation shall rise. 

y. A Short Hymn, or Stanza of a Hymn. 

^f This must correspond to the Epistle, or be a Hyjnn of Prais** 

8. The Gospel. 

\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall say : " The 
Holy Gospel is written", etc. The ancient Gospel for the day is 
then read. 

\ At the readmg of the Gospel the Congregation shall rise, and 
remain standing till the Apostle s Creed has been said. 

r Whe7i the Gospel has been read the Congregation shall sing 
or say; 

Praise and glory be to Thee, O Lord. 

or: 

Blessed be the Lord for His glad tidings. 

\ During the years when the first series of Epistles and Gospels is 
preached upon, the reading of the Gospel before the Altar, to- 
gether with the 7-esponse by the Co7igregation, may be omitted. 

* Remark. When 'Epiphany falls on a Sunday, the Collect 
Epistle, and Gospel for Epiphany are used. 



8 the order of service. 

9, The Apostle's Creed. 

T[ The Min ister shall say : 
Let us confess our holy faith. 
\ Turning to the Altar, he shall than say : 
I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of 
Heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Ch.ist His onlySon, our Lord;Who 
was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin 
Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, 
dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third 
day He rose again from the dead; He ascended int© 
Heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the 
Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge 
the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian 
Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of 
sins; The Resurrection of the body, and the Life ever- 
lasting. 

\ The Congregation shall sing or say : 

Amen. 

\ The Congregation may unite with the Minister in the Apostles' 

Creed. 

io. The Hymn Before the Sermon. 

ii a. The Sermon. 

\ The Minister shall go into the Pulpit and offer a Prayer intro- 
ductory to the Sermon t but shall not close it with the Lord's 
Prayer. 

\ On the three great Festivals and on Ascension Day, a stanza of 
a Hymn, appropriate to the occasion, shall be sung before the Text 
is read. 

\ The Text for the day shall then be read, and upon this a Sermon 
is preached. The Sermon shall close with 

The Lesser Gloria. 

GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to 
the Holy Ghost: as it was in the beginning, is now, and 
ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 



THE MORE COMPLETE ORDER 



i ib. The General Prayer. 

^[ This shall be offered in one of the following Forms : 
either: 

EVERLASTING and merciful God, we beseech 
Thee in the Name of our Lord Jesus: 

Look in mercy upon Thy Christian Church. Protect 
it and sanctify it in Thy truth. May Thy Word be 
taught in its purity, and Thy Sacraments be rightly 
administered. Give to Thy Church upright ministers 
of approved doctrine and life. Send forth laborers 
into Thy harvest, and open the door of faith unto all 
the heathen, and unto the people of Israel. In mercy 
remember the enemies of Thy Church, and grant to 
them repentance unto life. 

Let Thy protecting hand be over our land and 
nation, and over our countrymen in distant lands or 
on the sea. Prosper what is good among us, and bring 
to naught every evil counsel and every wicked work. 
Protect and bless our President and his Counsellors, 
(the Congress now assembled),* the Governor of this 
State, and all our Magistrates. Fit them for their high 
calling by the gift of the spirit of Thy wisdom and 
fear, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all 
godliness and honesty. Let also Thy protecting hand 
be over the land of our fathers, and over its people, 
and grant unto them Thy blessing. 

According to Thy promise, O God, be Thou the De- 
fender of the widow and the Father of the orphan. 
Relieve and comfort the sick and sorrowing. Gracious- 
ly help those who are assaulted by the devil, and those 
who are in peril of death. Be the strength of those 
who are suffering affliction for the sake of Christ's 
Name. Grant that we may dwell together in peace 
and prosperity. Bestow upon us good and seasonable 



* Remark. The words enclosed in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when Congress is assembled 



THE ORDER OE SERVICE. 



weather; and bless us with upright Christian counsel in 
all that we undertake. 

Bless our Church with all its congregations; and 
graciously let Thy hand be over our teachers and 
schools. 

Especially do we commend to Thy care and keeping 
this Thy congregation, which Thou hast bought with a 
great price. Keep from us all offenses, and bind us 
together in the unity of Thy holy love. Grant that the 
little ones who are baptized in Thy Name may be 
brought up in Thy fear. (Bestow the power of renun- 
ciation and faith upon the hearts of the young who are 
to be confirmed in their baptismal covenant) * And 
at Thy table give to those who there commune with 
Thee peace and life everlasting. 

Be merciful, O God, unto all men, according to Thy 
great love in Christ Jesus, our Lord. And, when our 
final hour shall come, grant us a blessed departure from 
this world, and, on the last day, a resurrection to Thy 
glory. Amen. 

or: 

EVERLASTING, almighty God: We give thanks 
unto Thee, and praise Thy holy Name; for Thou art 
good, and Thy mercy endureth forever. Thou hast 
created us, and dost preserve us. Thou hast redeemed 
us, and dost sanctify us. Thou givest bread to our 
bodies, salvation and blessedness to our souls. Thou 
removest the burden of our sins. Thou comfortest us 
in all our sorrows; and givest unto us exceeding abun- 
dantly above all that we ask or think. Unto Thee be 
glory in the Church, world without end. 

O Lord God: We are not worthy of the least of all 
Thy mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast 
shewed unto us. We have sinned against Thee. We 
have been disobedient to Thy commandments, and 



* Remark. The words in this parenthesis are to be used only 
when a class is being prepared for Confirmation. 



THE MORE COMPLETE ORDER. 



have not honored Thy Name in the world. But for the 
sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator, we pray Thee 
to forgive us all our sins, to cleanse us from all un- 
righteousness, and to grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that 
we may walk before Thee in holiness and righteous- 
ness all the days of our life. 

Look in mercy, O Lord, upon Thy Christian Church. 
Grant to it unity and strength. Awaken those who 
are asleep within it; bring back those who have gone 
astray from it; and gather into it the fulness of the 
Gentiles and the remnant of Israel. Sustain by Thine 
almighty hand all government on the earth, and make 
it a blessing unto all peoples. Graciously protect our 
beloved land and nation, and our countrymen every- 
where, our President and his Counsellors, (the Congress 
now assembled',* the Governor of this State, and all to 
whom Thou hast given authority among us. Bless our 
dear Church. Graciously let Thy hand be over our 
institutions of learning, and may all our schools be 
ruled by Thy Spirit. Bless the holy estate of marri- 
age, and grant that all the children may receive Chris- 
tian training. (Bestow the power of renunciation and 
faith upon the hearts of the young who are to be con- 
firmed in their baptismal covenant,)** Let Thy bless- 
ing rest in rich measure upon the fruits of the earth, 
upon all honest means of living, and upon all noble 
activities of mind. Feed the poor and hungry with 
daily bread, and cause all cheerful givers to rejoice. 
Comfort and help all widows and orphans, all who are 
sick and sorrowful, and all who are in anguish of 
death. O Lord, have mercy upon all men! 

We praise and bless Thy holy Name, and give thanks 
to Thee, for all those who have departed from this life 
in Thy faith and fear, and now experience the joys of 



* Remark. The words encloced in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when Congress is assembled. 

** Remark. The words enclosed in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when a class is being prepared for Confirmation. 



12 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

Thy heavenly kingdom; and we humbly pray Thee to 
vouchsafe that we with them may live in the Lord and 
die in the Lord, so that with them we may attain to 
the resurrection of life. Amen. 

'% Here shall follow Prayers for the Sick, for whom the Intercession 
of the Church has been asked; and Prayers for those whose Bann s 
of Marriage are published, beginning somewhat as follows : " We 
would further include i7i our prayers those for whom the banns 
of marriage are published, naniely 2V. N", after which the Inter- 
cession for them is made. 

\ The entire General Prayer is finally summed up in 

The Lord's Prayer. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory , for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

\ Immediately after the Lord s Prayer shall follow 

The Apostolic Benediction. 

THE grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, 
and tne communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. 
Amen. 

12. The Hymn After the Sermon. 

If After this shall follow the Baptism of children. The adminis- 
tration of Baptism shall begin and conclude with Stanzas of a 
suitable Hymn. 

\ The Catechization of the young ?nay then take place. This shall 
begin and conclude with Stanzas of a suitable Hymn. 

13. The Hymn Before the Communion. 

<fl During the singing of this Hymn the Minister shall proceed to 
the Altar. 



THE MORE COMPLETE ORDER. I 3 

r Instead of this Hymn, the ancient Preface in the following fprm 
{when the congregation prefers it) may be used. 

THE PREFACE. 

r The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone : 

The Lord be with you. 

r The Cotigregation rises and responds : 

And with thy spirit. 

Min. — Lift up your hearts unto the Lord 
Cong. — We lift up our hearts unto the Lord. 
Min. — Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God. 
Cong. — It is meet and right so to do. 

r The Minister y turning to the Altar, shall intone : 

IT is truly meet and right that we should at all 
times, and in all places, give praise unto Thee, Holy 
Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, through 
Jesus Christ, our Lord, through Whom the angels sing 
praises to Thy majesty, and the holy seraphs glorify 
Thy Name with jubilant accord. We would unite our 
voices with theirs and worship Thee, saying: 

*~ The Congregation continues: 

HOLY, hoi)-, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven 
and earth are full of Thy glory. 
Hosanna in the highest! 

Blessed is He that cometh in the Name. of the Lord. 
Hosanna in the highest! 

14. The Exhortation Before the Communion. 

r The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall say : 

DEAR Friends in Christ! In order that you may re- 
ceive this holy Sacrament worthily, it becometh you 

diligently to consider what you must now believe and 
do. From the words of Christ: "This is my Body, 
which is given for you"; ''This is my Blood, which is 



14 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

shed for you for the remission of sins"; you should be- 
lieve that Jesus Christ is Himself present with His 
Body and Blood, as the words declare. From Christ's 
words: "For the remission of sins," you should, in the 
next place, believe that Jesus Christ bestoweth upon 
you His Body and Blood to confirm unto you the re- 
mission of all your sins. And, finally, you should do 
as Christ commandeth you when He saith: "Take, 
eat"; "Drink ye all of it"; and, "This do in remem- 
brance of Me." If you believe these words of Christ, 
and do as He therein hath commanded, then have you 
rightly examined yourselves, and may worthily eat 
Christ's Body and drink His Blood for the remission 
of your sins. You should therefore unite in giving 
thanks to Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, for so great a gift, and should love one another 
with a pure heart, and thus, with the whole Christian 
Church, have comfort and joy in Christ our Lord. To 
this end may God the Father grant you His grace; 
through the same, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

^[ Then shall the Minister say : 

Let us pray. 

^1 As many of the Communicants as can be accommodated shall knee t 
before the rails of the Altar t The remaining Communica?tts, 
and the Congregation, shall rise and remain standing while 
the Lord s Prayer and the words of the Institution are intoned. 

15. The Lord's Prayer. 

\ The Mi?iister, turning to the Altar, shall intone : 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever 



THE MORE COMPLETE ORDER. 



T[ The Congregation shall sing or say : 
Amen. 

16. The Words oV the Institution. 

\ The Minister shall i?itone : 

OUR Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He 
was betrayed, took bread*; and when He had given 
thanks, He brake it and gave it to His disciples, say- 
ing, Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for you; 
this do in remembrance of Me. 

After the same manner, also, when He had supped, 
He took the cup,** and when He had given thanks, 
He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup 
is the New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for 
you and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as 
oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. 

17. The Distribution. 

\ The Minister, proceedi?ig from right to left, shall give the Bread 
to the Communicants., saying to each one : 

This is Christ's true Bod)'. 

T[ In the same manner he shall give the Citp, saying to each one ; 

This is Christ's true Blood. , 

\ An appropriate Hymn shall be sung by the Congregation during 
the Distribution. 

^f The Distribution ended, the Minister shall say to the Communi- 
cants, after each Table : 

OUR crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ, Who 
now hath bestowed upon you His holy Body and 
Blood, whereby He hath made full satisfaction for all 



* Remark. The Minister, on repeating the words: "Took 
bread", shall take the plate with the bread, and hold it in his hand 
until the first j art of the words of the Institution has been intoned. 

** Remark. Here the Minister shall lay his hand upon the Cup, 
and hold it there until all the words of the Institution have been 
intoned. 



l6 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

your sins, strengthen and preserve you in true faith 
unto everlasting life. Peace be with you. Amen. 

18. A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the Communion, 

19. A Collect of Thanksgiving for the 
Communion. 

^f The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone : 

Let us give thanks and pray. 
*\ Turning to the Altar, he shall intone : 

WE thank Thee, O Lord, almighty and everlasting 
God, that Thou hast refreshed us with these Thy salu- 
tary gifts. We now beseech Thee, of Thy mercy, to 
strengthen us, through these same gifts of Thine, in 
faith toward Thee, and in fervent love toward one 
another; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. 

T[ The Congregation shall sing or say : 
Amen. 

20. The Benediction. 

*\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone: 

The Lord be with you. 

*[ The Congregation responds : 

And with thy spirit. 
\ The Minister shall then say : 
THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 
The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. 

"j The Congregation, having risen to receive the Benediction, shall 
sing or say : 

Amen. 



the more complete order. \y 

21. The Closing Hymn. 

22. The Closing Prayer. 

^[ This Prayer shall be read by the Assistant {Precentor) before the 
Chancel, while the Minister kneels at the Altar. 

O LORD, with all our heart we thank Thee that 
Thou hast now taught us what Thou wilt that we shall 
believe and do. Help us now, our God, by Thy Holy 
Spirit, for Christ's sake, to keep Thy Word in a pure 
heart, thereby to be strengthened in faith, perfected 
in holiness of conduct, and comforted in life and in 
death. Amen. 

\ This Prayer shall conclude with 

The Lord's Prayer, 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever* 
Amen. 

\ When the Holy Communion is not celebrated, the preceding No 's. 
i j to 18 inchisive shall be omitted ; No. iq and the following 
shall be directly connected with No. 12, but so that, instead of 
the Collect of Thanksgiving for the Conununion, the following 
be used : 

Collect for the Word. 

LORD God, heavenly Father: We thank Thee for 
this Thy fatherly goodness that of Thine infinite grace 
and mercy Thou hast given us Thy holy and blessed 
Word, whereby Thou also among us dost gather to- 
gether Thy Christian Church. We humbly pray Thee 
to grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may accept Thy 
Word with thankful hearts and conform ourselves there- 
to, that we may ever grow and advance in Christian 
faith, hope, and love, and in the end may obtain eternal 



l8 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 



salvation; through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our 
Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity 
of the Holy Spirit, one true Cod, world without end. 

^[ The Congregation shall sing or say : 
Amen. 

Tf Instead of the Collect for the Word, the following shall be used 
during Lent and on Good Friday. 

Lenten Collect. 
WE give thanks to Thee, O God the Father, that 
Thou hast given us Thine only begotten Son, Jesus 
Christ, that whosoever believeth in Him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life. W 7 e give thanks to 
Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, that Thou hast borne all our 
sins in Thy holy body, and with Thy blood hast blotted 
out all our transgressions. We give thanks to Thee r 
Thou Holy Spirit, that Thou hast put into our hearts 
this faith: not to know anything unto our salvation 
'save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Grant us grace, 
O God, perfectly to believe that all our sins are for- 
given for the sake of Christ's sufferings and death; and 
so enlighten us by Thy good Spirit, that, through the 
power of the death of Jesus, we may daily abstain from 
some sin, and may never permit Him to depart from 
our hearts, until we behold Him face to face in life 
eternal. This we ask in the Name of Jesus, our Lord. 

\ The Congregation shall sing or say : 
Amen. 



B. The Shorter Order. 

^[ When the hour for Service is come, the Minister shall proceed 
to the Altar, while a short Prelude is played 011 the Organ. 
Then shall the Service begin with the following Opening 
Prayer, which is read by the Assistant {Prece?itor) before the 
Chancel, while the Minister kneels at the Altar. 

1. The Opening Prayer. 

LORD, we have come into this Thy holy house to 
hear what Thou, God the Father, our Creator, Thou 
Lord Jesus, our Saviour, Thou Holy Spirit, our Com- 
forter in life and in death, wilt say unto us. By Thy 
Holy Spirit, and for Christ's sake, O Lord, so open 
our hearts that we may learn to be sorry for our sins, 
to believe in life and in death on the Lord Jesus, and 
to make daily progress in holiness of life and conduct. 
Hear and answer us for Christ's sake. Amen. 

^I This Prayer shall conclude with 

The Lord's Prayer. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread, 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation', 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

2. The Opening Hymn. 

\ Two Hymns may be used here, especially a Litany Hymn, fol 
lowed by a Hymn of Praise- 

3. The Collect. 

1 The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone :* 

The Lord be with you. 



* Remark. If the Minister possess little or no ability to sing, he 
should ?implv say the words that occur here and at other corres 
pond ng points in the Service. 



20 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

Tl The Congregation responds : 

And with thy spirit. 

IT The Minister shall then say : 

Let us pray. 

\ Turning to the Altar, he shall then intone the Collect for 

the day*. 

1 The Congregation shall sing or say : 

Amen. 

4. The Epistle. 

\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall say: "The 
Holy Epistle {Lesson) is written'', etc. The Epistle {Lesson) 
is then read. 

1 At the reading of the Epistle the Congregation shall rise. 

\ On the three great Festivals a short Hymn is sung after the 

Epistle. The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall 

say: „The Holy Gospel is written" ', etc, after 

which the Congregation shall sing : 

Blessed be the Lord for His glad tidings. 

■f[ The Minister shall then read the ancient Gospel for the day. 
At its reading the Congregation shall rise. 

\ After the reading of the Gospel the Congregation shall sing a 
Hymn having the character of a Confession of Faith. 

\ The same order {where so desired) may be followed at other 
times than the three great Festivals, but so that the Hymn after 
the Epistle and the reading of the Gospel is omitted during 
the years when the first Series of Epistles and Gospels is preachea 
upon. 

5. The Hymn Before the Sermon. 
6a. The Sermon. 

\ The Minister shall go into the Pulpit and offer a Prayer intro- 
ductory to the Sermon. This Prayer shall close with the Lord's 
Prayer. 

^[ On the three great Festivals, and on Ascension Day, a Stanza 
of a Hymn, appropriate to the occasion, shall be sung before the 
Text is read. 



** Remark. When Epiphany falls on a Sunday, the Collect, 
Epistle, and Gospel for Epiphany shall be used. 



THE SHORTER ORDER. 



^[ The Text for the day shall then be read, and upon this a Ser- 
mon is preached. The Sermon shall close with 

The Lesser Gloria. 

• GLORY be to the Father, , and to the Son, and to 
the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is no\v, 
and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

6b. The General Prayer, 
ether: 
EVERLASTING and merciful God, we beseech 
Thee in the Name of our Lord Jesus. 

Look in mercy upon Thy Christian Church. Protect 
it and sanctify it in Thy truth. May Thy Word be 
taught in its purity, and Thy Sacraments be rightly 
administered. Give to Thy Church upright ministers 
of approved doctrine and life Send forth laborers 
into Thy harvest, and open the door of faith unto all 
the heathen, and unto the people of Israel. In mercy 
remember the enemies of Thy Church, and grant to 
them repentance unto life, 

Let Thy protecting Hand be over our land and na- 
tion, and over our countrymen in distant lands or on 
the sea. Prosper what is good among us, and bring to 
naught every evil counsel and every wicked work. 
_ rotect and bless our President and his Counsellors, 
(the Congress now assembled),* the Governor of this 
State, and all our Magistrates. Fit them for their high 
calling by the gift of the spirit of Thy wisdom and 
fear, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all 
godliness and honesty. Let also Thy protecting hand 
be over the land of our fathers, and over its people, 
and grant unto them Thy blessing. 

According to Thy promise, O God, be Thou the De- 
fender of the widow and the Father of the orphan. Re- 
lieve and comfort the sick and sorrowing. Graciously 



* Remark. The words enclosed in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when Congress is assembled. 



22 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 



help those who are assaulted by the devil, and those 
who are in peril of death. Be the strength of those 
who are suffering affliction for the sake of Christ's 
Name. Grant that we may dwell together in peace 
and prosperity Bestow upon us good and seasonable 
weather; and bless us with upright Christian counsel in 
all that we undertake. 

Bless our Church, with all its congregations; and 
graciously let Thy hand be over our teachers and 
schools. 

Especially do we commend to Thy care and keep- 
ing this Thy congregation, which Thou hast bought 
with a great price. Keep from us all offenses, and 
bind us together in the unity of Thy holy love. Grant 
that the little ones who are baptized in Thy Name may 
be brought up in Thy fear. (Bestow the power of re- 
nunciation and faith upon the hearts of the young who 
are to be confirmed in their baptismal covenant).* 
And at Thy table give to those who there commune 
with Thee peace and life everlasting. 

Be merciful, O God, unto all men, according to Thy 
great love in Christ Jesus our Lord. And, when our 
final hour shall come, grant us a blessed departure 
from this world, and, on the last day, a resurrection to 
Thy glory. Amen. 

or: 

EVERLASTING, almighty God: We give thanks 
unto Thee, and praise Thy holy Name; for Thou art 
good, and Thy mercy endureth forever. Thou hast 
created us, and dost preserve us. Thou hast redeemed 
us, and dost sanctify us. Thou givest bread to our 
bodies, salvation and blessedness to our souls. Thou 
removest the burden of our sins. Thou comfortest us 
in all our sorrows; and givest unto us exceeding abun- 



* Remark. The words in this parenthesis are to be used only 
when a class is being prepared for Confirmation. 



THE SHORTER ORDER 23 

dantly above all that we ask or think. Unto Thee be 
glory in the Church, world without end. 

O Lord God: -We are not worthy of the least of all 
Thy mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast 
shewed unto us. We have sinned against Thee. We 
have been disobedient to Thy commandments, and 
have not honored Thy Name in the world. But for 
the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator, we pray 
Thee to forgive us all our sins, to cleanse us from afl 
unrighteousness, and to grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that 
we may walk before Thee in holiness and righteousness 
all the days of our life. 

Look in mercy, O Lord, upon Thy Christian Church. 
Grant to it unity and strength. Awaken those who 
are asleep within it; bring back those who have gone 
astray from it; and gather into it the fullness of the 
Gentiles and the remnant of Israel. Sustain by Thine 
almighty hand all government on the earth, and make 
it a blessing unto all peoples. Graciously protect our 
beloved land and nation, and our countrymen every- 
where, ourPresident and his Counsellors, (the Congress 
now assembled),* the Governor of this State, and all to 
whom Thou hast given authority among us. Bless our 
dear Church. Graciously let Thy hand be over our 
institutions of learning, and may all our schools be 
ruled by Thy Spirit. Bless the holy estate of mar- 
riage, and grant that all the children may receive 
Christian training. (Bestow the power of renunciation 
and faith upon the hearts of the young who are to be 
confirmed in their baptismal covenant).** Let Thy 
blessing rest in rich measure upon the fruits of the 
earth, upon all honest means of living, and upon all 
noble activities of mind. Feed the poor and hungry 



* Remark. The words enclosed in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when Congress is assembled. 

** Remark. The words enclosed in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when a class is being prepared for Confirmation. 



24 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 



with daily bread, and cause all cheerful givers to re- 
joice. Comfort and help all widows and orphans, all 
who are sick and sorrowful, and all who are in anguish 
of death. O Lord, have mercy upon all men! 

We praise and bless Thy Holy Name, and give thanks 
to Thee, for all those who have departed from this life 
"in Thy faith and fear, and now experience the joys of 
Thy heavenly kingdom; and we humbly pray Thee to 
vouchsafe that we with them may live in the Lord and 
die in the Lord, so that with them we may attain to 
the resurrection of life. Amen. 

^| The General Prayer shall close with 

The Lord's Prayer. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Givg us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

\ The Minister shall then say : 

Receive the benediction 

THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. Amen. 

7. The Hymn After the Sermon. 

\ Then shall follow the Baptism of Infants. A Stanza of a suit-* 
able Hymn is sung before and after the A dministation of Bap- 
tism. 

\ The Catechization of the young may then take place. This sha'ii 
begin and conclude with Stanzas of a suitable Hymn. 



the shorter order. 2$ 

8. The Hymn Before the Communion. 

Tf During the singing of this Hymn the Minister shall proceed to 
the Altar. 

9. The Exhortation Before the Communion. 

\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall say : 

DEAR Friends in Christ! In order that you may re- 
ceive this holy Sacrament worthily, it becometh you 
diligently to consider what you must now believe and 
do. From the words of Christ: "This is my Body, 
which is given for you"; "This is my Blood, which is 
shed for you for the remission of sins"; you should be- 
lieve that Jesus Christ is Himself present with His 
Body and Blood, as the words declare. From Christ's 
words: u For the remission of sins", you should, in the 
next place; believe that Jesus Christ bestoweth upon 
you His Body and Blood to confirm unto you the re- 
mission of all your sins. And, finally, you should do 
as Christ commandeth you when He saith: "Take, 
eat"; "Drink ye all of it"; and, "This do in remem- 
brance of Me." If you believe these words of Christ, 
and do as He therein hath commanded, then have you 
rightly examined yourselves, and may worthily eat 
Christ's Body and drink His Blood for the remission 
of your sins. You should therefore unite in giving 
thanks to almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, for so great a gift, and should love one another 
with a pure heart, and thus, with the whole Christian 
Church, have comfort and joy in Christ our Lord To 
this end may God the Father grant you His grace; 
through the same, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

\ Then shall the Minister say : 
Let us pray. 

\ As many of the Communicants as can be accommodated shall 
kneel before the rails of the Altar. The re?naining Communi- 
cants, and the Congregation, shall rise and remain standing 
while the Lord 's Prayer and the words of the Institutio7i are 
intoned. 



26 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

io. The Lord's Prayer. 

]f The Minister, turning to the Altar, shall intone ; 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against. us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 

\ The Congregation shall sing or say : 
Arnen. 

ii. The Words of the Institution. 

\ The Minister shall intone : 

OUR Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He 
was betrayed, took bread;* and when He had given 
thanks, He brake it and gave it to His disciples, say- 
ing, Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for 
you; this do in remembrance of Me. 

After the same manner, also, when He had supped, 
He took the cup,** and when He had given thanks, 
He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup 
is the New Testament in my Blood, which is shed for 
you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, 
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. 

12. The Distribution. 

][ The Minister, proceeding from right to left, shall give the 
Bread to the Communicants, saying to each one : 

This is Christ's true Body. 



* Remark. The Minister, on repeating the words: "Took 
bread", must take the plate with the bread and hold it in his hand 
until the first part of the Institution has been intoned. 

** Remark. Here the Minister shall lay his hand upon the Cup, 
and hold it there until all the words of the Institution have been 
intoned 



THE SHORTER ORDER. 2J 

^[ In the same manner he shall give the Cup, saying to each one : 
This is Christ's true Blood. 

\ An appropriate Hymn shall be sung by the Congregation during 

the Distribution. 
^[ The Distributioii ended, the Minister shall say to the Communi- 
cants, after each Table : 

OUR crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, Who now 
hath bestowed upon you His holy Body and Blood, 
whereby He hath made full satisfaction for all your sins, 
strengthen and preserve you in true faith unto ever- 
lasting life. Peace be with you. Amen. 

13. A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the Communion. 

14. A Collect of Thanksg ving for the 

Communion. 

\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone : 
Let us give thanks and pray. 

*ft Turning to the Altar, he shall intone : 
WE thank Thee, O, Lord, almighty and everlasting 
God, that Thou hast refreshed us with these Thy sal- 
utary gifts. We now beseech Thee, of Thy mercy, to 
strengthen us, through these same gifts of Thine, in 
faith toward Thee, and in fervent love toward one 
another; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. 

% The Congregation shall sing or say : 
Amen. 

15. The Benediction. 
\ The Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall intone : 
The Lord be with you. 
% The Congregation responds: 
And with thy spirit. 
r The Minister shall then say : 
THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 
The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 



28 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. 

^[ The Congregation, having risen to receive the Benediction, shall 
sing or say ; 

Amen. 

16. The Closing Hymn. 
17. The Closing Prayer. 

*[ This Prayer shall be read by the Assistant {Precentor) before the 
Chancel, while the Minister kneels at the Altar. 

O LORD, with all our heart we thank Thee that 
Thou hast now taught us what Thou wilt that we shall 
believe and do. Help us now, our God, by Thy Holy 
Spirit, for Christ's sake, to keep Thy Word in a pure 
heart, thereby to be strengthened in faith, perfected in 
holiness of conduct, and comforted in life and in 
death. Amen. 

\ This Prayer shall close with 

The Lord's Prayer. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread;. 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Th-ine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.. 
Amen. 



THE SERVICE FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 20, 



C. The Service for Good Friday. 

T[ On Good Friday the entire A Itar Service before the Sermon is 
omitted. After the Opening Prayer, during which the Minister 
kneels as usual before the Altar, a Hymn or two are sung, 
after which he goes into the Pulpit, and, as at other times, of- 
fers a Prayer introductory to the Sermon. 

\ After the Prayer, during the year when the ancient Series of 
Epistles and Gospels is used, the Minister shall read St. John 
18 : i-iq .30, inclusive ; during the year] when the first new 
Series is used, he shall read St. Matth. 26 : 30-27 :jo, inclusive ; 
during the year when the second new Series is used, he shall 
read St. Luke 22 : 30-23 .-46, inclusive. The reading of these 
passages is introduced with the following words : 

LET us hear the Passion History of our Lord Jesus 
Christ as it is recorded by the Evangelist St. John (St. 
Matthew; St. Luke). 

\ After the Sermon the Service is continued in the same manner 
as during Le7it. 



D, The Service for the Day of Thanksgiving, 

\ This begins with the usual Opening Prayer and proceeds ac- 
cording to the Order of the Morning Service, with Collect, Les- 
son, and the Hymn before the Sermon, after which the Minister 
goes into the Pulpit. Then follow Hymn, Collect, Closing Hy?nn, 
and C tossing Prayer. 

\ Instead of the General Prayer, after the Sermon, the Minister 
reads the following 

Prayer for the Day of Thanksgiving. 

EVERLASTING God, Thou merciful Father in 
heaven: With all our heart we thank Thee, that 
in Thy mercy Thou hast permitted us to behold an- 
other harvest and to gather in Thy gifts, the manifold 
fruits of the earth, wherewith Thou hast this year 
crowned our land. Alas! dear Lord, we confess that 
we are not worthy of these Thy gifts, and that Thou 



30 THE ORDER OF SERVTCE. 

wouldest indeed have reason to remove from us every 
blessing on account of our great sins. But we bless 
Thee for Thy mercy, that of Thy fatherly goodness 
Thou hast kept Thy gracious hand over "us and over 
our land, and that this year also Thou hast protected 
the harvests of the earth for our benefit. Thou alone 
hast the power to give us the former and the latter 
rain in due season. Thou hast watered our fields, and 
made them soft with showers. Thou hast blessed the 
herbs of the earth with Thy sun, and hast prospered 
our harvests. [And though Thou hast caused us to 
experience Thy just wrath by sending us drought (im- 
moderate rains) (tempests of hail), yet hast Thou not 
wholly removed Thy blessing from us]. Therefore give 
thanks unto the Lord; for He is good, and Flis mercy 
endureth for ever. Give thanks unto the God of heaven; 
for His mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, 
that His mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of 
Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let 
them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy en- 
dureth for ever. 

But we also pray Thee, dear God and Father, to 
grant us Thy divine grace, that we may receive with 
thanksgiving whatsoever Thou bestowest upon us. 
Sanctify it by Thy Word and our prayer, that we may 
use it chiefly to Thy praise and glory, to the neces- 
sary support of ourselves and of those who belong to 
us, to the maintenance of churches and schools, and to 
the help of our poor and needy neighbour. Keep from 
us all harmful abuses through gluttony and drunkennes, 
pride and presumption, covetousness and selfishness, 
that thereby Thy gifts may not be dishonored and 
mocked. [To Thy gracious care we commend the seed 
which is now being sown. Cause it to thrive, and pro- 
tect it from all harm and destruction]. Do Thou also, 
faithful God and Father, protect this vicinity, and 
our whole land, from failure of harvest and famine, 



THE SERVICE FOR THE DAY OF THANKSGIVING 31 

from war and pestilence, and from ail grievous sick- 
nesses. Bestow upon our dear government the spirit 
of love and peace, the spirit of counsel and wisdom, 
that righteousness and justice may ever be preserved 
among us in peace. Grant that we may spend our days 
in Thy fear, in health, peace, and concord, until that 
great day, the harvest of the whole world, shall come, 
when Thou wilt gather us unto Thyself into eternal 
joy and blessedness, in the heavenly garner. To this 
end do Thou help us all, for the sake of Jesus Christ, 
the great Lord of the harvest. Amen. 



E. The Service for the Day of Humiliation and Prayer. 

^[ The Order for the Day of Tha7iksgiving is here followed. In- 
stead of the General Prayer, the Mi?iister, after the Sermon 
shall read the following 

Prayer for the Day of Humiliation and Prayer. 

EVERLASTING, almighty God, merciful and lov- 
ing Father: We poor sinners appear before Thee now, 
and with all our heart we praise Thee for the abundant 
goodness and fatherly care which, from time to time, 
from year to year, Thou hast shown unto us until this 
present day. Of undeserved grace and mercy hast 
Thou given us Thy holy and saving Word, wherewith, 
as with the true bread of life, Thou continuest to feed 
our hungry souls so richly. Thou hast furthermore 
blessed us abundantly with temporal goods, and hast 
graciously delivered us, and our beloved land, from 
many troubles and afflictions, which otherwise would 
have come upon us. For all this, and for whatsoever 
else Thou, in Thy fatherly goodness, hast done on our 
behalf, be Thou, O God, and Thy holy Name, for ever 
blessed and magnified. 

O Lord, Thy works are great. We speak of them 
though we cannot number them. We shew forth Thy 
benefits, and rejoice that Thou dost help us so well. 



32 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

But, alas! what are we, O God, that Thou art so 
graciously mindful of us? And what are our works, 
that Thou esteemest us so highly? We must confess 
-and bitterly lament that we are entirely unworthy of 
all Thy grace, we, who have so often taken it in vain, 
and have not suffered ourselves to be brought unto a 
serious and true repentance. For we have sinned, O 
Lord; we have sinned and done wickedly. We have 
been rebellious; we have transgressed Thy command- 
ments, and have departed from Thy ways. O Lord, 
righteousness belongeth unto Thee, but unto us con- 
fusion of faces. Our sins lie heavily upon us; our sins 
oppress us, our sins cry unto heaven, and we are ashamed 
to lift up our faces; for our iniquities are increased 
Over our heads, and our guiltiness is grown up unto 
heaven. Often, indeed, with prayer and supplication, 
with sighing and mourning, have we made a show of 
grieving for our sins; but what fruits meet for repent- 
ance hast Thou afterwards found in us? We boast of 
our faith; yet we know very little among us of the love 
without which our faith is to be counted as nothing 
but a death faith. We call ourselves Christians; but 
how weak and miserable is our Christianity, marred as 
it is with grievous sins and transgressions, whereby we 
cause Thy holy Name to be blasphemed among men. 
Woe unto us, woe unto us, that we have sinned so 
greatly! Thou, Lord, hast found out our iniquities, and 
we must indeed acknowledge that we have fully de- 
served, not only Thy visitations in time, but also that 
which is far worse: death and eternal damnation. But, 
for Thy Name's sake, O Lord, rebuke us not in Thine 
anger, neither chasten us in Thy hot displeasure. Be 
gracious unto us, and have mercy upon us. For we 
know that Thy mercy hath no bounds, and we put our 
trust in the oath which Thou hast sworn unto us, that 
Thou hast no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but 
that he should repent and live. Now therefore do we 
lift up our humble prayer before Thee, and in faith do 



THE SERVICE FOR THE DAY OF HUMILIATION 33 

we cry with a contrite heart: Father, we have sinned 
against Thee, and are not worthy to be called Thy 
children. Forgive, forgive us all our sins, O loving 
Father," for the sake of Thine only begotten Son, Jesus 
Christ. Look to His obedience, and impute not unto 
us our disobedience. Impart to us the benefits of His 
propitiation, and grant that we, who are His redeemed, 
may all obtain the forgiveness of our sins, for the sake 
of His sufferings and death. 

Look in mercy, O God, upon Thy Christian Church. 
Protect it and sanctify it in Thy truth. May Thy Word 
be taught in its purity and Thy Sacraments be rightly 
administered. Give to Thy Church upright ministers 
of approved doctrine and life. Send forth labourers 
into Thy harvest, and open the door of faith unto all 
the heathen, and unto the people of Israel. In mercy 
remember the enemies of Thy Church, and grant to 
them repentance unto life. 

Let Thy protecting hand be over our land and na- 
tion, and over our countrymen in distant lands or on 
the sea. Prosper what is good among us, and bring to, 
naught every evil counsel and every wicked work. 
Protect and bless our President and his Counsellors, 
[the Congress now assembled]*, the Governor of this 
State, and all our Magistrates. Fit them for their high 
calling by the gift of the spirit of Thy wisdom and 
fear, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all 
godliness and honesty. 

Graciously ward off from us all well-deserved 
troubles, war and famine, tempest and unseasonable 
weather, calamities by fire and water, pestilence and 
other disasters. Grant peace and prosperity to our 
land, and let Thy glory dwell among us, that mercy and 
truth may meet together, that righteousness and peace 
may kiss each other. Bless every one in his station and 



* Remark: The words enclosed in this parenthesis are to be 
used only when Congress is assembled 



34 THE ORDER OF SERVICE 

calling. Bless our cities and communities, our 
homes and occupations. Let Thy blessing rest, O 
Lord, upon our fields and upon our flocks. Comfort 
all those who suffer affliction for the sake of Christ's 
Name. Lord, save Thy people, and bless those who 
are Thine inheritance and possession. Be Thou the 
Healer of the sick, the Helper of the needy, the Com- 
forter of the distressed, the Provider for the poor, the 
Defender of the widows, and the Father of the father- 
less. Comfort all the comfortless, help all the help- 
less, and have mercy upon us all. 

O God, be merciful to us poor sinners. Forgive us 
all our sins, for Jesus Christ's sake. Grant us Thy 
grace, that we may earnestly repent of our sins, con- 
stantly believe in our Saviour Jesus Christ, and always 
bring forth fruits meet for repentance; and, when our 
last hour shall come, grant us a joyful and blessed de- 
parture from this world. Help us, our God and Father, 
that we may never again fall into sinful security and 
neglect the day of grace, but that we may always watch 
and pray, and may wait, with a confident spirit and 
glad hope, for the glorious coming of our Lord and 
Saviour, Jesus Christ. O Lord, Thou triune God, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, holy and mighty God, 
holy and merciful Saviour, Thou God eternal, hear our 
>orayer and give ear to our supplication. Have mercy 
<pon us now and evermore. Amen. Amen. 

T[ The Minister shall conclude in the manner usual before leav- 
ing the Pulpit. 

fl After the Sermon the Litany is sung. During the singing of 
ihe Litany, the Minister shall k}ieel before the Altar. 

^[ Whe7i the Litany has been sung, the Minister shall read the 
following 

Closing Collect. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Thou Who hast 
promised Thy children that, though their sins be as 



THE SERVICE FOR THE DAY OF HUMILIATION 35 

scarlet, the)' shall be as white as snow; and that, if 
they be obedient, they shall eat the good of the land; 
we pray Thee, O gracious Father: Forgive us all our 
sins for Jesus Christ's sake, and grant us Thy Holy 
Spirit, that we may abstain from evil and do that which 
is good. Let not Thy just wrath come upon us, but 
deliver us from our enemies, and from all manner of 
distress and danger; and grant that we may enjoy Thy 
gifts and benefits to Thy praise and glory; through 
Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen, 

^[ The Service shall then continue as customaiy at the Morning 
Service. 



II. 
THE OTHEK SEEVICES. 



A. The Early Service. 

Tf The Early Service is held on the first day of the great Festivals 
in those Congregations where it has hitherto been in use, and at 
such hour in each place as has hitherto been customary. 

\ On the great Festivals the Early Service is conducted according 
to the Order of the regular Morning Service, but without the 
administratiojt of the Lord's Supper. 



B. The Evening Service. 

\ When the hour for Service is come, the Minister proceeds to the 
Altar, while a short Prelude is played on the Organ, after 
which the Service shall begin with 

i. The Opening Prayer. 

\ This is read by the Assistant (Precentor), with or without the 
Lord 's Prayer, as the one or the other Order of Morning Service 
is followed. During the Opening Prayer the Minister kneels at 
the Altar. 

2. A Hymn. 
3. The Sermon and General Prayer. 

\ The Sermon shall be preached upon the Epistle {Lesson * for the 
day, after which the Order of the Morning Service shall be 
followed. 

4. A Hymn. 
5. The Collect for the Word. 

\ During Lent, and on Good Friday, the prescribed Lenten Col- 
lect shall be used. 



* Remark. When Epiphany falls on a Sunday, the Epistle (Les- 
son) for Epiphany is used. 



the other services. 37 

6. The Benediction. 

7. The Closing Hymn. 
8. The Closing Prayer. 

T[ The Closing Prayer shall be read by the Assistant (Peecentor) t 
and shall conclude with the Lord's Prayer. 

\ The Sermon, at the Evening Service on Good Friday, shall be 

Preached upon one of the following Texts : 
\ During the year when the first Series of Epistles and Gospels is 

used, St. John ig .-31-42 ; during the year when the second 

Series is used, St. Matth. 2j .-31-66 ; and during the year when 

the third Series is used, St. Luke 23 : 47-36, 

^[ At the Evening Service on the Day of Humiliation and Prayer, 
the Prayer for that day, and the Litany, are used, as prescribed 
for that Day s Morning Service, though the one or the other of 
these Parts may be omitted. Lf the Prayer for that day be omit- 
ted, the Sermon shall close with the Lords Prayer and the 
Benediction only. The Collect for that day's Morning Service 
is used. 



C. The Week-day Lenten Service. 

% The Week-day Lenten Service is conducted in the same 7tia?iner 
as the Evening Service during Lent. The General Prayer 
may, however, be omitted. The Minister preaches either upon 
the Passion History, as recorded by the four Evangelists, or upon 
a Lenten Text chosen by himself. 

\ The most suitable time for this Service is Wednesday or Friday, 
in the forenoon or afternoon, according to circumstances. 



D'. The Week-day Communion Service. 

1| Such Service, when held, is conducted as follows , 

i. A Hymn, 

2. The Confessional Address. 
3. The Confessional Prayer. 



38 the order of service. 

4. The Absolution. 

5. A Hymn. 

6. A Hymn before the Communion. 

*\\ After this Hymn the Service is conducted according to the Or- 
der prescribed for the administration of the Communion in the 
Morning Service. This Service closes with the Hymn after the 
Benediction. 



E. Closing Collects for Various Occasions. 

1. For the Heathen. 

LORD God, heavenly Father. Thou Who wilt 
have all men to be saved and to come unto the know- 
ledge of the truth: We pray Thee, send forth Thy 
witnesses to the ends of the earth, and let them pro- 
claim Thy salvation unto all those who sit in darkness 
and in the shadow of death, that our brethren of the 
heathen may praise Thy Name and may walk with us in 
Thy light; through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our 
Lord. Amen 

2. For Israel. 

RIGHTEOUS and merciful God, Thou Who hast 
let Thy severe judgments come upon Israel, and hast 
scattered Thy chosen people upon all the face of the 
earth, because of their unbelief: We pray Thee, remove 
the veil from the eyes of Thy people, that they may 
look in faith upon Him Whom they have pierced, and 
may obtain the promises made to the fathers; through 
Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. Amen. 

3 For Inner Mission. 

MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jes»s 
Christ, Thou Who hast no pleasure in the death of the 
wicked, but that he should repent and live: We pray 
Thee to look in mercy upon the distress of Thy 



THE OTHER SERVISES. 39 

Christendom; seek that which is lost, bring again that 
which is driven away, bind up that which is broken, 
and strenghten that which is weak, to the praise and 
honor of Thy glorious Name; through Thy dear Son, 
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 

4. For Peace. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Thou Who art 
the Source of all spiritual and temporal peace: We 
humbly pray Thee that, of Thy goodness, Thou 
wouldest give unto us that true peace which the world 
cannot give, so that we may live according to Thy, 
commandments in Thy fear, and be delivered from all 
our enemies; through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our 
Lord. Amen. 






SUPPLEMENT. 

The Litany. 

LORD, have mercy upon us. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

O Christ, hear us. 

Christ, hear us. 
O God, the Father in heaven; 

Have mercy upon us. 
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world; 

Have mercy upon us. 
O God, the Holy Ghost; 

Have mercy upon us. 

Be gracious unto us. 
Spare us, good Lord. 

Be gracious unto us. 

Help us, good Lord. . 

From all sin; 
From all error; 
From all evil: 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

From the crafts and assaults of the devil 
From sudden and evil death; 
From pestilence and famine; 
From war and bloodshed; 
From sedition and rebellion; 



SUPPLEMENT. 



From lightning and tempest; 
From all calamity by fire and water; 
And from everlasting death: 

Good Lord, deliver us. 

By the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation; 

By Thy holy Nativity; 

By Thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation; 

By Thine Agony and bloody Sweat; 

By Thy Cross and Passion; 

By Thy precious Death and Burial; 

By Thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; 

And by the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter: 

Help us, good Lord. 

In all time of our tribulation; 
In all time of our prosperity; 
In the hour of death; 
And in the day of judgment: 

Help us, good Lord. 

We poor sinners do beseech Thee; 
To hear ?ts, Lord God. 

And to lead and govern Thy holy Christian Church 

in the right way; 
To preserve all pastors and ministers of Thy Church 

in the true knowledge and understanding of Thy 

Word, and in holiness of life; 
To put an end to all schisms and causes of offence; 
To bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, 

and are deceived; 
To beat down Satan under our feet; 
To send faithful labourers into Thy harvest; 
To accompany Thy Word with Thy Spirit and grace; 
To raise up them that fall, 'and to strenghten such as 

do stand; 



42 THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

And to comfort and help the weak-hearted ana the 
distressed: 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 

To give to all nations peace and concord; 

To preserve our country from discord and contention; 

To give to our nation perpetual victory over all its 

enemies; 
To direct and defend our President, and all in authority; 
And to bless and keep our Magistrates, and all our 

people: 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 

To behold and succor all who are in danger, necessity, 

and tribulation; 
To protect all who travel by land or water; 
To preserve all women in the perils of childbirth; 
To strengthen and keep all sick persons and young 

children; 
To set free all who are innocently imprisoned; 
To defend and provide for all fatherless children and 

widows; 
And to have mercy upOn all men: 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 

To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, 

and to turn their hearts; 
To give and preserve to our use the fruits of the earth; 
And graciously to hear our prayers: 

We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God; 

We beseech Thee to hear us. 

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; 
Have mercy upon us. 

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world; 
Have mercy upon us. 



SUPPLEMENT. 43 



O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world 
Grant us Thy peace. 

O Christ, hear us. 

Christ, liear us. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 

Christ, have mercy upon us. 

Lord, have mercy upon us. 

Lord have mercy upon tts. Amen. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



A. The Baptism of Infants in the Church. 

'^[ When a Stanza of a Baptismal Hymn has been sung, the 
Minister shall say : 

Hath this child been privately baptized? 

'*{ If the Child has not been privately baptized, the Minister shah 
proceed as Jollows : 

DEARLY Beloved! Forasmuch as by one man sin 
entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death 
. passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, so, by 
the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to 
condemnation. For which reason we are all by nature 
the children of wrath, and have come short of the glory 
of God. But as by one man's disobedience many were 
made sinners, so, by the obedience of one, namely Jesus 
Christ, shall many be made righteous. For as sin hath 
reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through 
righteousness 'unto eternal life by Jesus Christ, Who 
was delivered for our offences, and was raised again 
for our justification. 

But our Lord Jesus Christ, in order that we may ob- 
tain right and access to this divine grace, hath in- 
stituted the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, which is the 
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy 
Ghost. For Baptism is not the putting away of the 
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience 
toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 
order, then, that this child (these children), which is 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 45 

(are) conceived in sin and born in iniquity, may see 
the kingdom of God, into which our Lord Jesus Christ 
Himself hath said that none can enter, except he be 
born again of water and of the Spirit, we will now, in 
the Name of our Lord Jesus, receive it (them) through 
holy Baptism into His believing Church, that it (they), 
as a member (members) of His Body, may partake of 
His salvation. 

Let us hear God's word and command concerning 
holy Baptism. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ saith in the 28th chapter of 
St. Matthew: 

ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, 
baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to ob- 
serve all things whatsoever I have commanded you; 
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the 
world. 

The sign of the cross. 

Receive the sign of the holy cross^ upon thy 
brow and upon thy breast, in token that thou shalt be- 
lieve on the crucified Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let us pray, 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Father of 
our Lord Jesus Christ: We call upon Thee for this 
child (these children) which seeketh (seek) the gift 
of Thy Baptism unto regeneration and everlasting life. 
Lord, receive it (them . And, as Thou hast said: Ask, 
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; 
knock, and it shall be opened unto you; bestow Thy 
gifts upon the one which now asketh (upon those 
which now ask), and open the door unto the one (un- 
to those) which knocketh (which knock), that it (theyl 
may receive the everlasting blessing in this heavenK 



46 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

washing, and ma)' inherit Thy kingdom which Thou hast 
promised unto us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

a \\ The Sponsors and the Assistant {Precentor) shall say : 
Amen. 

Let us hear the Hoi)- Gospel as written by St. Mark: 

AND they brought young children to Jesus, that He 
should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those 
that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was 
much displeased, and said unto them; Suffer the little 
children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of 
such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, 
whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a 
little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took 
them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and 
blessed them. 

Therefore, by devout prayer to God, let us help this 
little child (these little children) to obtain such 
blessing. 

*\\ The Minister laying his right ha7id upon the head of the child 
{the heads of the children) shall say : 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

\ The Sponsors and the Assistant {Precentor) shall say : 
Amen. 



\ The child is now brought nearer to the Pont, {each child 
separately, if there be several.) 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 47 



T| The Minister shall then say : 
The Lord preserve thy coming in and thy going out, 
from this time forth even for evermore. 

\ The Sponsors and the Assistant {Precentor) shall say ; 
Amen. 

\ The Minister shall then ask the child's name, 
\ Minister: 
N. DOST thou renounce the devil, and all his works, 
and all his ways? 

\ The one who carries the child shall answer : 
I do. 

t Minister : 
DOST thou believe in God, the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth? 

Answer. I do, 

Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, 
our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 
Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius 
Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; Descended in- 
to hell; The third day rose again from the dead; 
Ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand 
of God the Father Almighty; Whence He shall come 
to judge the quick and the dead? 
Answer. I do. 

Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy 
Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The For- 
giveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the 
Life everlasting? 

Answer. I do. 

Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? 

Answer. I will. 

^| The Minister shall then aftfily water three times upon th e 
child's head. G&d shall say ; 



48 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



N. I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

If The Sponsors and the Assistant {Precentor) shall say : 
Amen. 

\ The christening Cap is now put upon the child's head, after 
which the Minister, with the laying on of hands, shall say : 

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Who hath begotten thee again of water and the 
Holy Ghost, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, 
strengthen thee with His grace unto life everlasting. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 
Minister: Peace be with thee. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

H The child {children) having thus been baptized, the Minister 
shall say : 

BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy 
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the 
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ The Minister shall then say to the Sponsors : 

DEAR Christian Friends! You, who have been 
sponsors for this child (these children), are to be 
witnesses that it has (they have) been baptized in 
the Name of the Holy Trinity. You are also to re- 
member it (them) in your prayers before God; and, 
if the parents should die before it has (they have) ar- 
rived at the age of discretion, you should, as far as 
possible, see that it is (they are) instructed in the 
Catechism, so that, in riper years, it (they) may 
abide in Christ, even as now, through Baptism, it has 
(they have) been grafted into Him. 

Minister: Peace be with you. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 49 

T[ Instead of this Salutation of Peace the Minister shall pronounce 
the Benediction, when Baptism is not administered in connection 
with the regular Service. The baptismal Act shall then, as at 
the regular Service, begin and close with a Stanza of a suit- 
able Hymn. 



B. Private Baptism. 

\ Whe7i a child, on account of sickness or weakness, or for other 
valid reasons, is baptized at home, the Service shall begin with 
the followi?ig Prayer : 

O LORD Jesus Christ: We bring this child unto 
Thee, according to Thine own word. We beseech 
Thee to receive it, and grant that it may become a 
Christian. Amen. 

\ Or, more briefly : 
O Lord Jesus, receive this child. 

Tj Then shall water be applied thi'ee times upon the child s head, 
while these words are said: 

N. (the name of the child), I baptize thee in the 
Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 

\ After the Baptism shall be said ; 
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Who hath begotten thee again of water and 
the Holy Ghost, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, 
strengthen thee with His grace unto life everlasting. 
Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 



50 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

If When private Baptism is administered by the Pastor, he may \ 
if time permit, follow the Order prescribed for Baptisin in the 
Church, omitting, however, besides the Exhortation to the 
Sponsors, all that precedes the words : "Let us hear God's 
word and command concerning holy Baptizm\ etc. t 
He may begin this Service with an extempore Prayer. 



C* Private Baptism Confirmed in the Church. 

Minister: Hath this child been privately baptized? 

Answer. Yes. 

By whom was the child baptized? 

Was it baptized with water? 

Answer. Yes. 

Was it baptized in the Name of the Father, and of 
the'Son, and of the Holy Ghost? 
Answer. Yes. 

The Lord preserve thy coming in, and thy going 
out, from this time forth even for evermore. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

■J The Minister shall then ask the child 's name. 
TI Minister: 
N, DOST Thou renounce the devil, and all his 
works, and all his ways? 

\ The one who carries the child shall answer: 
I do. 

Minister : 
DOST thou believe in God, the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth? 

Answer. I do. 

Dost Thou believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, 
our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost. 
Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius 
Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; Descended 



THE MINISTER T AL ACTS, 5 I 

into hell; The third day rose again from the dead; 
Ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand 
of God the Father Almighty; Whence He shall come 
to judge the quick and the dead? 

Answer. I do. 

Dost thou believe in the Hoi}' Ghost; the Holy 
Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; the For- 
giveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body; And the 
Life everlasting? 

Answer. I do. 

DEAR Christian Friends! Forasmuch as this child 
hath already been baptized with water, in the Name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 
we would by no means baptize it again, but would give 
thanks unto our Lord and God, Who hath graciously 
accepted it through Jesus Christ, and here in God's 
house would certify and bear witness that it hath re- 
ceived true Christian Baptism according to God's word 
and command, and hath thus received the Holy Ghost 
with the forgiveness of sins unto life everlasting. 

This word and command of God is that which our 
Lord Jesus Christ spake, as recorded in the 28th Chap- 
ter of St Matthew: 

ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, 
baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe 
all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, 
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 

Let us also hear the Holy Gospel as written bv St. 
Mark: 

AND they brought young children to Jesus, that He 
should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those 
that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was 
much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little 



52 THE MINISTEIAL ACTS. 

children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of 
such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto yon, 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a 
little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took 
them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and 
blessed them. 

Let us therefore devoutly pray that this child may 
always abide in the Lord and enjoy His blessing. 

^[ Then the Minister, laying his right hand upon the head of the 
child [the heads of the children) shall say : 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ With the laying on of hands, the Minister shall then say : 

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Wlio hath begotten thee again of water and the 
Holy Ghost, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, 
strengthen thee with His grace unto life everlasting. . 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 
Minister: Peace be with thee. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ Minister : 

BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, W 7 ho according to His abundant mercy hath be- 
gotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection 
of Jesus Christ from the dead. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS, 53 

^[ The Minister shall then say to the Sponsors ; 

DEAR Christian Friends! You who have been 
sponsors for this child (these children), are to be wit- 
nesses that it hath (they have) been baptized in the 
Name of the Holy Trinity. You are also to remember 
it (them) in your prayers before God; and, if the 
parents should die before it has (they have) arrived 
at the age of discretion, you should, as far as possible, 
see that it is (they are) instructed in the Catechism, 
so that, in riper years, it (they) may abide in Christ, 
even as now, through Baptism, it hath (they have) been 
grafted into Him. 

Minister: Peace be with you. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ Instead of the Salutation of Peace the Minister shall pronounce 
the Benediction, when Baptism is not administered in connec- 
tion with the regular Service. 

\ When several children are presented at the same time to have 
private Baptism confirmed, the questions prescribed for the ad- 
ministration of private Baptism, and those referring to re- 
nunciation and faith, are first asked with regard to each child ■ 
separately. The other Parts are then read only once for all the 
children collectively, with the exception of the words : "Al- 
mighty God, the Father of our Lord fesus Christ, Who hath be- 
gotten thee" , etc. which are read for each child separately, with 
the laying on of hands. 

*{ When children, whose private Baptism is to be confirmed, are 
presented together with children who are to be baptized. Bap- 
tism is first administered to the unbaptizcd according to the 
Order prescribed for the?n, as far as, and includi?ig, the Words: 
"Peace be with thee, Amen." Then the Order for children 
who have been privately baptized is followed, as prescribed in 
the present section. However, the two Parts: "This word 
and command of God is that which" etc., and: "Let us also 
hear the Holy Gospel", etc., to and including the words : "and 
enjoy His blessing," ??iay be omitted. The words : "Blessed be 
the God and Father of our Lord fesus Christ", etc., and the 
Exhortation to the Sponsors, are finally said for all the childi'en 
in co)nmon, 



54 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



D. The Baptism of Adults. 

T[ When an unbaptized Adult desires, through Baptism, to be ad- 
mitted to our Church, the Minister shall carefully examine hint 
as to his religious knowledge and belief, and shall give him such 
instruction and spiritual guidance as he may need in order to be 
duly prepared to receive the blessing of Baptism. 

*{ At the time appointed for Baptism, the person to be baptized 
shall be seated in one of the pews nearest the Chancel, If the 
Baptism be administered on a Sunday or Holy-day, he shall be 
specially mentioned from the Pulpit, with a prayer that God's 
blessing may rest upon Mill. 

\ The Baptismal Service shall then begin with the singing of an 
appropriate Hymn. When the Hymn is ended, the Minister, 
standing before the Chancel, shall deliver a short Address, upon 
some suitable Text, setting forth the nature and blessings of Bap- 
tism, at the same time specially indicating how, through Gods 
mercifid guidance, the person to be baptized was brought to an 
earnest desire for Participation in the benefits of holy Baptism so 
as to become a child of God and a member of His holy Church, 
At the close of this Address, the person to be baptized having 
come forward to the Chancel, the Minister shall ask him: 

N. N Dost thou still desire to receive Christian 
Baptism? 

Answer. I do. 

\ The Minister shall then say : 

Before we grant his desire to receive him through 
Baptism into the Church, we will no\v, in the presence 
of this congregation, let him account for the faith that 
is in him. 

\ The Minister shall then examine him in the ??wst i?nportant 
doctrines of Christianity as set forth in the religious instruction 
of the young, at the same time giving hi?n special opportunity to 
maintai7i the truth over against such errors as he may for??ierly 
have held. 

^[ When the Examination is ended, the Minister shall say : 

FORASMUCH as this man (woman), who hath 
reached adult years without Baptism, through God's 
grace hath come to a knowledge of the truth according 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 55 



to God's Word and the good Confession of our Church, 
we will now, in the Name of our Lord Jesus, receive 
him (her) through holy Baptism into Christ's believ- 
ing Church; and we do pray that God, through His 
Holy Spirit, may work in him (her) a lively faith and 
a steadfast repentance, so that what we now do may 
prosper to the glory of God and to the everlasting 
salvation of his (her) soul. 

Let us hear God's word and command concerning 
holy Baptism. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ saith in the 28th chapter of 
St. Matthew: 

ALL power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 
Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, 
baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe 
all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, 
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 

The sign of the cross. 

Receive the sign of the holy cross, upon thy brow 
and upon thy breast, in token that thou shalt believe 
on the crucified Lord Jesus Christ. 

Let us pray. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ: We call upon Thee for this Thy 
servant who seeketh the gift of Thy Baptism unto re- 
generation and everlasting life. Lord, receive him 
(her). And, as Thou hast said: Ask, and it shall be 
given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall 
be opened unto you; bestow Thy gifts upon the one 
who now asketh, and open the door unto the one who 
knocketh, that he (she) may receive the everlasting 
blessing in this heavenly washing, and may inherit Thy 
kingdom which Thou hast promised unto us all; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 



56 THE MIN STERIAL ACTS. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

Tj The Minister shall then lay his hand upon the head of the per- 
son to be baptized, the latter kneeling. 

The Minister: 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ The Minister and the person to be baptized, together with the 

Sponsors, shall then draw near to the Font, after which 

the Minister shall say : 

THE Lord preserve thy coming in and thy going 
out, from this time forth even for evermore. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

T[ Then the Minister shall ask the name of the person to be bap- 
tized, to whom, if he does not wish to retain his former name, a 
new name shall be given in Baptism. 

Minister: 

N. DOST thou renounce the devil, and all his works, 
and all his ways? 

Answer. I do. 

DOST thou believe in God, the Father Almighty, 
Maker of heaven and earth? 

Answer. I do. 

Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, 
our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 
Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius 
FUate, Was crucified, dead, and buried; Descended in- 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 57 

to hell; The third day rose again from the dead; 
Ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand 
of God the Father Almighty; Whence He shall come 
to judge the quick and the dead? 

Answer. I do. 

Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy 
Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The for- 
giveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; and the 
Life everlasting? 

Answer. I do. 

Wilt thou be baptized in this faith? 
Answer. I will. 

^ The Minister shall then apply water three times upon the head 
of the person being baptized, and shall say : 

N., I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and 
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ The Minister, laying- his right hand upon the head of the person 
baptized, while the latter is kneeling, shall say : 

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Who hath begotten thee again of water and the 
Holy Ghost, and hath forgiven thee all thy sins, 
strenghten thee with His grace unto life everlasting. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 
Minister: Peace be with thee. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

^ When the Baptism has thus been admmistered, the Minister 
shall say : 

BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy 
hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the re- 
surrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 



58 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

FORASMUCH as thou also, N. N., hast now been 
brought into covenant with God, and hast become His 
dear child, thou art constanly to bear in mind what 
thou hast this day promised unto thy God, and here- 
after earnestly to fight the good fight of faith, and to 
serve God in truth with a pure heart. To this end 
may God grant thee His Spirit and grace, for the sake 
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

T[ The Mi?iister shall then say to the Sponsors : 

DEAR Christian Friends! You who have been 
sponsors at the Baptism of N. N., are to be witnesses 
that he (she) hath been baptized in the Name of the 
Holy Trinity. You are also to remember him (her) in 
your prayers before God, to associate with him (her) in 
brotherly love, and, as far as possible, to help him 
(her) that he (she) may always abide in Christ, even 
as now, through Baptism, he (she) hath been grafted 
into Him. 

Peace be with you. 
Sponsors and Assistant: Amen. 

\ histead of this Salutation of Peace the Minister shall pronounce 
the Benediction, when Baptism is not administered in connection 
with the regular Service. 

*H The baptismal Act shall close with the singing of a suitable 
Hymn. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 59 

E. Confirmation, 

T[ Before the Service begins on the day appointed for Confirma- 
tion, the persons to be confirmed shall occupy the places reserved 
for them in the church. 

\ After the Hyi?in which follows the Sermon, or (in case the Ser- 
7/10/1 is omitted on account of the number of those to be confirmed) 
after the Apostles' Creed, or {where the Shorter Order of Ser- 
vice is used) after the Hymn which follows the Epistle, a Stanza 
of a suitable Hymn shall be sung. Then shall the Minister, 
standing before the Chancel, begin the Confirmation Service 
with an Address upon so/ne appropriate Text of Scripture. 

\ The Examination, which takes place after the Address, shall 
be conducted in such a manner as to give to those who are to be 
confirmed an opportunity to render an account of the most im- 
portant parts of the Christian faith, as set forth by our Church 
in the religious instruction of the young. Each perscn shall be 
asked at least one question. The Examination must not be so 
prolonged as to make the Service less interesting to the young 
and to the Congregation. The Minister shall close the Exam- 
ination with Prayer. 

\ The Minister shall then proceed to the Altar, and the persons to 
be confirmed shall present themselves before the rails of the 
Altar. A suitable Hymn, or apart of such Hyj/in, shall then 
be sung, after which the Minister, tur/iing to those who are to 
be confir/Jied, shall say : 

Dear Friends! In the Christian faith you have been 
baptized; in the Christian faith you have been in- 
structed. Now may God, through His Holy Spirit, so 
quicken this faith in your hearts as to enable you 
humbly and sincerely to profess the same before God 
and this congregation. 

^f The persons to be confirmed shall the?i kneel before the rails of 

the Altar, and the Minister, addressing each one by name, 

shall ask : 

N. N. DOST thou renounce the devil, and all his 
works, and all his ways? 

Answer. I do. 



60 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

DOST thou believe in God the Father, Son, and 
Holy Ghost? 

Answer. I do. 

WILT thou, by the grace of God, continue steadfast 
in this covenant of thy Baptism, even unto the end? 

Answer. I will. 

U When these questions have been asked, the Miiiister shall say .- 
Then give me thine hand in" token thereof. 

*\ The Minister, with the laying on of hands, shall then offer the 
following Prayer : 

MAY the Triune God, Who hath adopted thee as 
His child in holy Baptism, and hath made thee an heir 
of eternal life, preserve thee in the grace of thy Bap- 
tism, and may He grant thee steadfastness in chy faith 
to the salvation of thy soul. Amen. 

\ To each group of those that have been confirmed the Minister 
shall say : 

Peace be with you. 

^[ When all have thus been confirmed a Hynm may be sung, after 
which the Minister, standing either before the Altar or before 
the Chancel, shall deliver an extempore Address, closing with 
the following Prayer : 

ALMIGHTY and merciful God, the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Who through Thy Holy Spirit 
dost begin and perfect the good work in us: We give 
thanks to Thee that Thou hast caused these young 
servants of Thine to be born again in holy Baptism, 
and hast enabled them, through the enlightenment of 
Thy Word, to profess Thy grace in Christ. We pray 
Thee to perfect the good work which Thou hast begun 
in them. Grant to them an ever increasing knowledge 
of the salvation which Thou hast prepared for us in 
Thine only begotten Son. They are weak; strengthen 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



them with Thy power. They must pass through a 
dangerous world; guide them with Thy counsel. The)' 
will be exposed to many temptations; help them to 
withstand and to overcome. With the comfort of Thy 
Holy Spirit comfort them in every distress and in 
every assault of evil. Grant that they may watch and 
pray, and that they may diligently seek nourishment 
in Thy Word and at Thy Table, to the end that, in the 
sanctification of the Spirit, the)-, together with all Thy 
believers, may love Thee, and, before all the world, in 
word and in deed, may profess Thee, together with 
Thy Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

^[ The Minister shall then say : 
Receive the benediction. 
THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 
The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. Amen. 

\ This Service shall conclude with a Hymn, and with the usual 
Closing Prayer. 



62 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

P. Public Confession and Absolution, 

T[ This Service shall begin with a Hymn,' during which the Min- 
ister proceeds to the Altar. When the Hyi?in has been sung, 
he shall deliver an Address, upon so?ne appropriate Text of 
Scripture, directed to those who intend to Co??imune. 

\ When the Address is ended, the Minister shall say : 
Let us confess our sins unto God, and pray. 
\ He shall then say one of the following Prayers. 
I. 
LORD Jesus, my Saviour, Thou Who in Thy holy 
Word hast promised grace and mercy unto all penitent 
sinners: 1, a poor, miserable sinner, present myself be- 
fore Thee with a burdened conscience, and unto Thee 
I confess my sins, which are more than can be num- 
bered. I humbly beseech Thee, dear Lord Jesus, to 
absolve me from all my sins, and remember them no 
more for ever. Cleanse my sinful soul with Thy holy 
blood, and grant that I may find mercy before Thee. 
And as I now desire, in Thy holy Name, and through 
Thy servant, to be absolved from all my sins, I pray 
Thee, my Lord and Saviour, to attend upon the words 
of Thy servant, and confirm them in my heart through 
Thy Holy Spirit. Purify my conscience, and comfort 
and strengthen my soul by Thy grace. Grant this unto 
me, Lord Jesus, my Saviour, for the sake of Thy pre- 
cious blood. Amen. 

II. 

HOLY Lord God: Be gracious, and have mercy 
upon me. For I must confess before Thee that I have 
sinned against Thee in many ways, not only by out- 
ward acts, whereby I have dishonored Thy holy Name 
among men, but much more by inborn blindness, un- 
belief, doubt, despondency, impatience, self-love, filthy 
lusts, envy, and many other sins, which Thou, Lord 
God, seest in me far better than I can. O Lord, I 
repent of my sins. I am heartily sorry that I have 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 63 

thus transgressed Thy commandments, and have 
grieved Thy Holy Spirit, and have defiled my con- 
science. But I believe that Jesus Christ, true God and 
true Man, was wounded for my transgressions, and was 
bruised for my iniquities, that the chastisement of my 
peace was upon Him, and that there is healing for mi 
in His stripes. For Christ's sake, spare me, and pun- 
ish me not as I have deserved. For Christ's sake, 
^orgive me all my sins. Let me hear Thy Word de- 
claring that all my sins are graciously forgiven; and 
grant that I may believe it, and may keep it in my 
heart as an abiding comfort. Renew a right spirit 
within me, and write Thy commandments in my heart, 
that I may no more sin against Thee, but may serve 
Thee, according to the desire of my heart, in holiness 
and righteousness, all the days of my life. Lord, have 
mercy upon me. Amen. 

III. 

O LORD God, Thou God of my salvation! Ouv 
of the depths I cry unto Thee: Forgive, forgive me all 
my sins! For Thy Spirit remindeth me, and my heart 
accuseth me, and I must confess with contrition and 
shame, that I have sinned against Thee, my God, and 
am no more worthy to be called Thy child. I ought 
to love Thee with all my heart, and soul, and mind^ 
yet hast Thou found in me sins which are greater than 
my love, such as shameful unbelief, disobedience, and 
the seeking of mine own glory, which things Thou 
hatest. I ought to love my neighbor as myself; yet 
have I been lukewarm in my love, and have often of- 
fended and injured my brother whom Christ hath re- 
deemed with His precious blood. Lord, if Thou 
shouldest contend with me, I could not answer Thee 
one of a thousand; if Thou shouldest mark iniquities, 
who shall stand? 

But I know of none to whom I can go but to Thee 



64 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

Thou God of my salvation. I come, because I 
have heard Thy blessed Gospel, and I beseech Thee 
to have mercy upon me. Remember not my sins, but 
remember Thy tender mercies in Christ. I am full of 
sin and uncleanness, but He hath borne all my sins. I 
am worthy of punishment and judgment, but He hath 
suffered the punishment, and the judgment hath been 
executed upon Him. Let His merits be mine, and 
clothe me, a poor sinner, with His righteousness. For 
His sake say Thou unto me: Be of good cheer, thy 
sins are forgiven thee. And so strengthen my soul by 
Thy Holy Spirit that I may be enabled to believe the 
Word which I hear, to keep it in my heart as Thy 
Word to me, to gather comfort and peace therefrom, 
and to praise Thee for ever; for Thou art very ready to 
forgive those who turn unto Thee 

O Lord God, forgive me my many sins, that I may 
love Thee much, and may always walk in love. Grant 
that, according to the purpose and desire of my heart, 
I may die to all sin and may walk before Thee in puri- 
ty and righteousness. Help me to overcome the sin 
which doth most easily beset me, and grant me a ten- 
der conscience in all things; for I know there is for- 
giveness with Thee that Thou mayest be feared. O 
Lord, quicken my soul, and make me holy, strong, and 
glad. Remove from me everything that would prevent 
an intimate union with Jesus in the Sacrament; and 
may I, a poor, unworthy sinner, abide in Him and He 
in me, unto everlasting life. Lord, have mercy upon 
me. Amen. 

IV. 

I, a poor sinner, confess unto Thee, O God, not 
only that I have been conceived and born in sin, but 
also that throughout my whole life I have often and in 
many ways offended against Thee, my Lord and my 
God, in thoughts, words, and deeds, so that Thou 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 6$ 

couldest, with perfect justice, reject and condemn me 
to all eternity. With all my heart I am sorry for this; 
and I am in dread and terror of Thy severe justice and 
of eternal death. I find that sin is my greatest enemy, 
which, in every way, I ought to hate as long as I live. 
And, most merciful God, inasmuch as Thou still per- 
mittest me to be reminded of Thy fatherly heart, ac- 
cording to the promise of Thy gracious Word, I flee 
for refuge to Thy great mercy, and pray Thee, dearest 
Father, that, through the faith which is given and in- 
creased within my heart by the Holy Spirit, Thou 
wouldest forgive me all my sins for the sake of Jesus 
Christ, Thine only begotten Son, Who was delivered 
for my offences, and was raised again for my justifi- 
cation. 

In order that my faith may be strengthened still 
more, I now desire to receive the Body and Blood 
of my Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament. I therefore 
pray Thee, dear Lord and God, through Thy servant 
to declare unto me the forgiveness af all my sins. I, a 
poor sinner, am willing to forgive all who have of- 
fended against me, and I am resolved daily to increase 
in true godliness. To this end help me, O God, in the 
Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

V. 

DEAR Lord God: I am a poor and sinful being, 
and have often offended against Thee in thoughts, 
words, and deeds; and I am without excuse. But I 
believe in Thine only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Who 
hath suffered death to save me; and, for His sake, I 
pray Thee: Forgive, forgive me all my sins! Grant 
me Thy Holy Spirit, that I may believe Thy pardoning 
Word, and that, according to the purpose and desire 
of my heart, I may flee all sin, and may suffer Thy 
holy and blessed will to rule in all things, Lord, have 
mercy upon me. Amen. 



66 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

*{ One of the above Prayers having been read, the Minister shall 
say to those who intend to commune : 

From the heart let all say: Amen. 

T[ Those who intend to commune shall answer : 

Amen. 

Minister: 
THEN, upon this your confession, come forward to 
the Altar of the Lord and receive the declaration of 
the forgiveness of all your sins. 

\ While those who are about to commune are kneeling before the 
rails of the Altar the Minister shall say : 

BY the authority of God, and of my holy offfice* 
(then, with the laying 071 of hands, to each one) I de- 
clare unto thee the gracious forgiveness of all thy sins: 
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 

T| Then shall he say to each group of those who have been 
absolved : 

MAY He who hath begun the good work in you 
perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Peace be with 
you. Amen. 

H The Service shall close with the singing of a Hymn. 



Q. The Communion of the Sick. 

\ When the Minister has privately spoken to the sick person, in 
case this is necessary , he shall, in the first place, deliver a short 
Address, after which he shall say : 

Let us confess our sins unto God, and pray. 

DEAR Lord God: I am a poor and sinful being, 
and have often offended against Thee in thoughts, 
words, and deeds; and I am without excuse. But I be- 
lieve in Thine only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Who 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 6j 

hath suffered death to save me; and, for His sake, I 
pray Thee: Forgive, forgive me all my sins. Grant 
me Thy Holy Spirit, that I may believe Thy pardoning 
Word, and that, according to the purpose and desire of 
my heart, I may flee all sin, and may suffer Thy holy 
and blessed will to rule in all things. Lord, have 
mercy upon me. Amen.* 

Is this the confession of thine heart? 
Answer. It is. 

Minister: 

BY the authority of God, and of my holy office, I 
declare unto thee the gracious forgiveness of all thy 
sins: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and 
of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

May He Who hath begun the good work in you per- 
fect it until the day of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

\ After the Confession and Absolution, the Minister shall con- 
tinue in the following manner : 

DEAR Christian Friends! Forasmuch as our Lord 
Jesus Christ hath Himself said, that where two or three 
are gathered together in His Name there is He in the 
midst of them, and, that they shall surely receive 
whatsoever they ask in His Name, we are now, ac- 
cording to His Word, gathered together here to give 
to this our sick** fellow Christian [and to those who 
are near and dear to him (her)] the holy Body and 
Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and on his (her, 
their) behalf we now pray Thee in Christ's Name: Do 
Thou, our God. and Father, refresh him (her, them) 
with Thy salutary gifts, and strengthen him (her, them) 



* Remark: If he prefers it, the Minister may use one of the 
other Prayers prescribed for Confession and Absolution. 

** Remark: The word "sick" may be omitted when the Com- 
munion is given, in their homes, to those that are aged or feeble. 



63 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings and death unto 
life everlasting. Amen. 

T[ Then shall he say : 

DEAR Christian Friend (Friends)! In order that 
thou mayest (you may) receive this Sacrament worth- 
ily, it becometh thee (you) diligently to consider what 
thou (you) must now believe and do. From the words 
of Christ: "This is my Body, which is given for you"; 
"This is my Blood, w r hich is shed for you for the re- 
mission of sins"; thou shouldest (you should) believe 
that Jesus Christ is Himself present with His Body 
and Blood, as the words declare. From Christ's words: 
"For the remission of sins", thou shouldest (you 
should), in the next place, believe that Jesus Christ 
bestoweth upon thee (you) His Body and Blood to con- 
firm unto thee (you) the remission of all thy (your) 
sins. And, finally, thou shouldest (you should) do as 
Christ commandeth thee (you) when He saith:._"Take, 
eat"; "Drink ye all of it"; and "This do in remem- 
brance of me". If thou believest (you believe) these 
words of Christ, and do as He therein hath com- 
manded, then hast thou (have you) rightly examined 
thyself (yourselves), and mayest (may) worthily eat 
Christ's Body and drink His Blood for the remission 
of thy (your) sins. Thou shouldest (You should) there- 
fore give thanks to Almighty God, the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, for so great a gift, and love thy 
(your) neighbour with a pure heart, and thus, with the 
whole Christian Church, have comfort and joy in Christ 
our Lord. To this end may God the Father grant 
thee (you) His grace; through the same, our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

Let us pray. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 69 

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

OUR Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He 
was betrayed, took bread*; and when He had given 
thanks, He brake it and gave it to His disciples, say- 
ing, Take, eat; this is My Body, which is given for 
you; this do in remembrance of Me. 

After the same manner, also, when He had supped, 
He took the cup**, and when He had given thanks, He 
gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup is 
the New Testament in My Blood, which is shed for 
you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as 
oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. 

T[ Then shall the Minister give the Bread, saying: 

MAY this, the true Body of Christ, which was de- 
livered unto death for thee and for all thy sins, 
strengthen and preserve thee in true faith unto ever- 
lasting life. 

\Then shall the Mi?iister give the Cup, saying : 

MAY this, the true Blood of Christ, which was 
shed on the cross for the remission of thy sins, 
strengthen and preserve thee in true faith unto ever- 
lasting life. 

^[ The same words that are used during the Distribution in the 
Church may be used here, especially if more than one commune, 
namely ; 



* Remark:* The Minister, on repeating the words: "took bread'''' 
must take ihe Plate with the bread and hold it in his hand until 
the first part of the words of the Institution has been said. 

** Remark: Here the Mininister lays his hand upou the cup, 
and holds it there, until all the words of the Institution have 
been said. 



JO THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

This is Christ's true Body. 
This is Christ's true Blood. 

Adding: 
OUR crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, Who 
now hath bestowed upon thee (you) His holy Body and 
Blood, whereby He hath made full satisfaction for all 
thy (your) sins, strengthen and preserve thee (you) in 
true faith unto everlasting life. Peace be with thee 
(you). Amen. 

Let us give thanks and pray. 
WE thank Thee, O Lord, almighty an everlasting 
God, that Thou hast refreshed us with these Thy salu- 
tary gifts. We now beseech Thee, of Thy mercy, to 
strengthen us, through these same gifts of Thine, in 
faith toward Thee, and in fervent love toward one an- 
other; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen 

Receive the benediction. 

THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and 
give thee peace. Amen. 

*\ Both the Confession and the Communion may begin and close 
with the singing of a suitable Hymn. 

\ The Minister shall see to it that the Table used for the Com- 
munion is covered with a clean cloth. The two burning 
Candles, whe7i such may be had, are appropriate to the solemn- 
ity of the Service. 

\ The two Parts of this Service may be shortened, as required by 
the condition of the sick person. In the first Part, however, 
the Confession and the Absolution must be retained. In the 
second Part, the Lord s Prayer and the words of the Institution 
must precede the Distribution. 

\ The Minister shall not pronounce the Absolution, or administer 
the Lord s Supper, to such sick persons as are not fully 
conscious • but, together with those who are present, he shall 
pray that God may be gracious and have mercy upon them for 
Christ's sake. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



H. The 5oIemnization of Marriage. 

f The Service shall begin with the singing of a Hymn, during 
which the Minister proceeds to the Altar. When the Hymn is 
ended, the persons to be 7iiarried shall present the?nselves before 
the rails of the Altar. The Minister shall then deliver a short 
Address upon some suitable Text, after which he shall say ; 

I ASK thee, N. N. (the bridegroom's full ?iame 
without title) in the presence of God and this Christ- 
ian assembly: 

WILT thou have N. N. (the bride's full name) here 
present to be thy wedded wife? 

Answer. I will. 

WILT thou live with her according to God's holy 
Word, and love and honor her, and, in prosperity and 
adversity, keep thee only unto her so long as you both 
shall live? 

Answer. I will. 

In like manner I ask thee, N. N. (the bride) : 

WILT thou have N. N. here present to be thy wed- 
ded husband? 

Answer. I will. 

WILT thou live with him according to God's holy 
Word, and love and honor him, and, in prosperity and 
adversity, keep thee only unto him so long as you both 
shall live? 

Answer. I will. 

Then join your right hands in token thereof. 

^[ The Minister shall then lay his hand 071 the join, d hands of the 
bridegroom a7id bride, saying : 

FORASMUCH as you have consented together in 
holy wedlock, and have now witnessed the same be- 
fore God and this Christian assembly, and huve joined 
your right hands in token thereof, I pronounce you 



72 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

man and wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

What God hath joined together, let no man pu^ 
asunder. 

AS you have now, in God's Name, been united in 
marriage, hear from God's Word, in the first place, 
how He Himself hath instituted this estate. 

In the Second Chapter of the Book of Genesis it is 
written thus: 

AND the Lord God said, It is not good that the man 
should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 
And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon 
Adam, and he slept. And He took one of his ribs, and 
closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which 
the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, 
and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This 
is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she 
shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of 
Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his 
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall 
be one flesh. 

In the next place, hear from the Word of God how 
you are to live together in this estate. 

In the Epistle to the Ephesians St. Paul writeth 
thus: 

HUSBANDS, love your wives, even as Christ also 
loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He 
might sanctify it. So ought men to love their wives 
as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth 
himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; 
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the 
Church. 

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, 
as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the 
wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church; and 
He is the Saviour of the body. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 73 



And concerning wives St. Peter writeth thus; 

LET their adorning be the hidden man of the 
heart, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, 
which is in the sight of God of great price. 
But to the husbands he saith: 

YE husbands, dwell with your wives according to 
knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the 
weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace 
of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 

Hear, furthermore, concerning the trials which God 
hath laid upon this estate: 

UNTO the woman God said: In sorrow thou shalt 
bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy 
husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

And unto the man God said: In the sweat of thy 
face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the 
ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou 
art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 

Finally, let this be your comfort, that your marriage 
estate is well pleasing to God, and hath His blessing. 

For thus it is written in the First Chapter of the 
Book of Genesis: 

SO God created man in His own image, in the image 
of God created He him; male and female created He 
them. And God blessed them, and God said unto 
them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the 
earth, and subdue it. And God saw everything that 
He had made, and, behold, it was very good. 

AND, that your marriage may redound 
glory of God, and to your own true welfare, 
earnestly invoke God s blessing upon you 
prayers. 

T[ The bridegroom and the bride shall then kneel, 
Minister, laying his hand first upon the head of the bride- 
groom, and then upon the head of the bride, shall say : 



to 


the 


let 


; us 


in 


our 


and 


the 



Let 



us 



pray. 



74 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

LORD God, heavenly Father, Thou Who didst cre- 
ate man and woman, and didst join them together in 
marriage, thereby signifying the mystery of the union 
betwixt Thy dear Son Jesus Christ and His Bride the 
Church (N. B.): We beseech Thine infinite goodness, 
let not this Thy blessed work and ordinance be brought 
to naught among us, but graciously protect it; through 
Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, our Lord. Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven;. Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

^| The Minister, stepping back slightly, shall then say : 

Peace be with you. Amen. 

\ The persons married shall then go to their seats, after which a 
Stanza of a Hymn may be sung. The Minister, sta?iding before 
the Altar, shall intone or read the following Collect : 

Let us pray. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, our Father in 
heaven, Thou Who hast Thyself ordained that man and 
woman shall be one flesh, and hast confirmed this 
union with Thy divine blessing: We pray Thee of 
Thine infine mercy to vouchsafe unto this bridegroom 
and his bride, grace, prosperity, and happiness, in body 
and soul. Grant that they may serve Thee faithfully, 
that they may live together in mutual love, and that 
they may always observe Thy holy commandments to 
do them, so that, on the last day, as true Christians 
and Thy dear children, they may be found together 
with Thy Son, Jesus Christ, W 7 ho liveth and reigneth 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS, 75 

with Thee, in the unit)- of the Holy Spirit, world with- 
out end. 

Assembly: Amen, 

Minister: The Lord be with you. 

Assembly: And with thy spirit. 

Minister: 

THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. 

Assembly: Amen. 

T| The Service closes with the singing of a Hymn. 

\ When several couples are to be married at the same tinie, the 
Prescribed questions shall be asked of each couple separately, 
together with the words pro7touncing them ?nan and wife : "For- 
asmuch as you have consented together" etc. The succeeding 
Scripture Lessons and Prayers shall then be read only o?ice, the 
words in the Collect, "this bridegroom and his bride" , being 
changed to, "these bridegrooms and their brides." 



I, Blessing Civil Marriage. 

\ The Service shall begin with the singing of a Hymn, during 
which the Minister proceeds to the Altar. When the Hymn is 
ended the man and his wife shall prese?it themselves before the 
rails of the Altar. The Minister shall then deliver a short 
Address upon some suitable Text, after which he shall say : 

FORASMUCH as you have desired the blessing of 
the Church upon your marriage, hear from God's 
Word, in the first place, how He Himself hath instituted 
this estate. 

In the Second Chapter of the Book of Genesis it is 
written thus: 

AND the Lord God said, It is not good that the 
man should be alone; I will make Him an help meet 



j6 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to 
fall upon Adam, and he slept. And He took one of 
his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and 
the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made 
He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And 
Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh 
of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she 
was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave 
his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his 
wife; and they shall be one flesh. 

Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ saith, in the Nine- 
teenth Chapter of St. Matthew: 
What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. 

In the next place, hear from the Word of God how 
you are to live together in this estate. 

In the Epistle to the Ephesians St. Paul writeth 
thus: 

HUSBANDS, love your wives, even as Christ also 
loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He 
might sanctify it. So ought men to love their wives 
as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth 
himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; 
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the 
Church. 

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, 
as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the 
wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church: and 
He is the Saviour of the body. 

And concerning wives St. Peter writeth thus: 

LET their adorning be the hidden man of the 
heart, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, 
which is in the sight of God of great price. 

But to the husbands he saith: 

YE husbands, dwell with your wives according to 
knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the 
weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace 
of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. JJ 

Hear, furthermore concerning the trials which God 
hath laid upon this estate: 

UNTO the woman God said: In sorrow thou shalt 
bring forth children; and thy desire snail be to thy 
husband, and he shall rule over thee. 

And unto the man God said: In the sweat of thy 
face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the 
ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou 
art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 
; Finally, let this be your comfort, that your marriage 
estate is well pleasing to God, and hath His blessing. 

For thus it is written in the First Chapter of the Book 
of Genesis: 

SO God created man in His own image, in the image 
of God created He him; male and female created He 
them. And God blessed them, and God said unto 
them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the 
earth, and subdue it. And God saw everything that 
He had made, and, behold, it was very good. 

^[ The Minister draws nearer to the man and wife, saying : 

I ASK thee, N. N. {the mar. 's full name without title) 
in the presence of God and this Christian assembly: 

IN thy marriage with N. N. {the wife's full name) 
wilt thou live with her according to God's holy Word 
and love and honor her, and, in prosperity and ad- 
versity, keep thee only unto her so long as you both 
shall live? 

Answer. I will. 

In like manner I ask thee: N. N. {the wife): 

IN thy marriage with N. N. wilt thou live with him 

according to God's holy Word, and love and honor 

him, and, in prosperity and adversity, keep thee only 

unto him so long as you both shall live? 

Answer. I will. 

\ The man a?id wife shall then kneel. 



78 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

FORASMUCH as you have now witnessed before 
God and this Christian assembly that you will live to- 
gether according to God's Word, I, as the servant of 
the Church, do now bless your marriage, In the Name 
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 
Amen. 

T[ The Minister, with the laying on of hands, shall then say : 

Let us pray. 

LORD God, heavenly Father, Thou Who didst 
create man and woman, and didst join them together 
in marriage, thereby signifying the mystery of the 
union betwixt Thy dear Son Jesus Christ and His 
Bride the Church (N. B.): We beseech Thine infinite 
mercy, let not this Thy blessed work and ordinance be 
brought to naught among us, but graciously protect it; 
through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, our Lord. 
Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

■fl The Minister, stepping back slightly, shall then say : 
Peace be with you. Amen. 

*{ The man and wife shall then go to their seats, after which a 
Stanza of a Hymn may be sung. The Minister, standing at the 
Altar, shall intone or read the followi?ig Collect : 

Let us pray. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, our Father in 
heaven, Thou Who hast Thyself ordained that man 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 79 

and woman shall be one flesh, and hast confirmed this 
union with Thy divine blessing: We pray Thee of Thine 
infinite mercy to vouchsafe unto this man and his wife, 
grace, prosperity, and happiness, in body and soul. 
Grant that they may serve Thee faithful!}*, that they 
may live together in mutual love, and that the}- may 
always observe Thy holy commandments to do them, 
so that, on the last da}*, as true Christians and Thy 
dear children, they ma)' be found together with Thy 
Son, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, 
in the unit}* of the Holy Spirit, world without end. 

Assembly: Amen. 
Minister: The Lord be with you. 
Assembly: And with thy spirit. 
Minister: 

THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. 

Assembly: Amen. 
*if The Service closes with the singing of a Hymn. 



J. The Churching of Mothers. 

^f The wife who is to be churched shall ineet betimes, with her at- 
tendants, in the Sacristy of the church. There the Minister 
shall meet her, either before the Ope?iing Prayer, or during the 
singing of one of the Hymns before the Sermon. 

% In a short Address he shall admonish her, in the first place \ to 
give thanks to God that He has mercifully vouchsafed to help 
her in her trial, and has caitsed her to ?-ejoice that a child is 
born into the world, and more especially that He has Prepared, 
for her child the washing of regeneration in order that it may 
see His kingdom. In the next place, he shall admonish her to 



80 THE MIN STERIAL ACTS. 

show her gratitude in deed, by rearing her child in the true fear 
of the Lord, and by setting it a good Christia7i example in all 
things. 

\ Having ended his A ddress he shall say : 

ENTER the Church of God in peace, and give 
thanks to the Lord Who hath done thee good. May 
He henceforth strengthen thee in soul and body, 
and evermore grant thee a blessed entrance before 
Him. Amen. 

\ She then enters the church, with her attendants , and goes to 
her pew. In the matter of Offerings she follows the custom of 
the Congregation to which she belongs. 

\ If her child has died, perhaps without Baptism, the Minister 
shall adapt his Address to the circumstances, and shall remind 
the sorrowing mother of fob's thanksgiving : " The Lord gave, 
and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the Name of the 
Lord" ; and also of Christ's words in St. Matthew 18 : 14, aiia 
iq : 14. : "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, 
that one of these little ones should perish. For of such is the 
kingdom of heaven." 



K. The Burial of the Dead. 

A. The More Complete Order for the Burial 
of the Dead. 

A Hymn. 

The Minister: IN the Name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

OUR Lord Jesus Christ saith: The hour is coming, 
in the which all that are in the graves shall hear the 
voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth; they 
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and 
they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of 
damnation. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



^| Then shall he thrice cast some earth upon the corpse, saying : 

Tlie first time : Out of dust art thou taken. 
The seco?id time: Unto dust shalt thou return. 
The third time: Out of the dust shalt thou rise 
again. 

BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, Who according to His abundant mercy hath be- 
gotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection 
of Jesus Christ from the dead. Amen. 

TI Or, ifistead of the above : 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it' is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Peace be with you. Amen. 

"If Instead of this Salutation of Peace, the Benediction may be 
pronounced : 

THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. Amen. 

A Hymn. 
B. When circumstances make a shorter Order 

DESIRABLE, THE BURIAL MAY PROCEED AS FOLLOWS. 

A Hymn. 

^[ This Hymn having been sung, the Minister shall thrice cast 
some earth upon the corpse, saying. 

The first time : Out of dust art thou taken. 
The second time : Unto dust shalt thou return. 



82 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

The third time: Out of the dust shalt thou rise 
a^ain. 

A Hymn. 

\ According to circumstances, at the Church, Mortuary Chapel, 
or House, or at the Grave, an extempore Address, upon some 
suitable word of Scripture, may be added to the preceding Order 
for Interment. The Address, if delivered at the Grave, co?nes 
after the words : "In the Naine of the Father, and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Ghost" (A), or after the first Hymn (B). At 
the Church, Mortuary Chapel, or House, the Service shall be- 
gin and close with a Hymn. 

T[ Or the Minister may proceed according to the following Order : 

i. Prayer. 
Let us pray. 

OUT of the depths have I cried unto Thee, Lord. 
Lord, hear my voice; let Thine ears be attentive to the 
voice of my supplications. If Thou, Lord, shouldest 
mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is 
forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. I 
wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word 
do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than 
they that watch for the morning: I say, more than 
they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in 
the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with 
Him is plenteous redemption. And He shall redeem 
Israel from all his iniquities. (Psalm 130). 

\ Instead of this Psalm a short extempore Prayer may be offered. 

2. Scripture Reading. 

DEARLY Beloved! Let us hear what the Holy 
Scriptures testify concerning the corruption of this 
life, and concerning death and judgment. 

BEFORE the mountains were brought forth r or ever 
Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 83 

everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God. Thou turn- 
est man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children 
of men. For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as 
yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 
Thou earnest them away as with a flood; they are as a 
sleep; in the morning they are like grass which grow- 
eth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth 
up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. So 
teach us to number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts unto wisdom, (Psalm 90: 2-6, and 12). 

And furthermore it is written: 
BY one man sin entered into the world, and death by 
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have 
sinned. (Romans 5: 12). 

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this 
the judgment. (Hebrews 9: 27). 

In the next place let us hear concerning the watch- 
fulness and preparedness which the Lord desireth to 
find in us. 

LET your loins be girded about, and your lights 
burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for 
their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that 
when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto 
him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom 
the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I 
say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make 
them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve 
them. Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of 
Man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (St. Luke 
12: 35-37, and 40). 

Let us finally hear the blessed words concerning re- 
surrection and everlasting life through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

JESUS saith: I am the resurrection, and the life; he 
that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall 



84 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me 
shall never die. (St. John n: 25-26) 

And the Lord's Apostle beareth witness: 

THIS corruptible must put on incorruption, and this 
mortal must put on immortality. So when this cor- 
ruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mor- 
tal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought 
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed 
up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, 
where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which 
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
(1 Cor. 15:53-55, and 57). 

3. One of the Following Collects, Closing with 
the Lords' Prayer. 

MERCIFUL and everlasting God, Thou Who, by 
the death of Thy Son, hast removed from us the sen- 
tence of eternal death, and hast hallowed the graves of 
Thy believers, so that they have become resting places 
of safety: Grant that we may diligently bear in mind 
the hour when we shall finally depart, and that, through 
a genuine penitence and faith, we may daily die unto all 
the corruptions of this world, and, together with all Thy 
saints, may attain to the blessed resurrection of the 
dead; through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, our Lord. 
Amen. 

EVERLASTING and merciful God, our Father in 
heaven, Thou Who, in Thy Son Jesus Christ, hast 
abundantly comforted us against death: We beseech 
Thee to guide and govern us by Thy Holy Spirit, so 
that we may not be turned away from Thee by any 
distress or assault of evil , but that we may live in 
Thy fear, may depart from this life in Thy peace, may 
rest in the grave under Thy protection, and in Thy 
power may rise again from the grave unto life ever- 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 85 

lasting; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. 
Amen. 

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Thou Who by 
reason of sin causest men to die and to return unto the 
dust: So teach us to number our days, that we may 
apply our hearts unto wisdom. Grant us a true faith 
in Thine only begotten Son Jesus Christ, Who was de- 
livered for our offences, and was raised again for our 
justification, and liveth to all eternity. Help us by 
Thy grace that we may daily die unto sin, and may 
live according to Thy holy will, so that, when the 
hour of death shall come, we may be fully prepared to 
depart in peace. Receive our souls unto Thyself, and, 
on the last day, raise our bodies from their graves 
unto life everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord 
Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

*{ ff this Order be used at the Grave, it comes after the words : 
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost " (A), or after the first Hymn (£■). At the Church, 
Mortuary Chapel, or House, the Service shall begin and close 
with a Hymn. 

\ If a short, extempore Address be made at the Grave, it shall 
follow the Scripture Reading. 

At the Burial of Children. 

Tf No.'s 2 and j {Scripture Reading and Collect) may be as 
follows : 



86 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

Let us hear the Holy Gospel, as recorded by St. 
Mark. 

AND they brought young children to Jesus, that He 
should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those 
that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was 
much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little 
children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of 
such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, 
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a 
little child, he shall not enter therein. And He took 
them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and 
blessed them. 

Let us pray. 

O LORD God, heavenly Father, Thou Who, through 
holy Baptism, didst make this child a child of Thine, 
and after a short affliction hast taken it home to Thy- 
self: We thank Thee for Thy fatherly mercy, and bless 
Thy holy Name for that comfort against death which 
Thou hast given us in Jesus Christ. We humbly pray 
Thee to grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, with all our 
heart, we may turn unto Thee, and become as little 
children, and that, at the end of our brief sorrows, we 
may be gathered together amid the joys of eternity; 
through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. 
Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

^[ Unbaptized children shall br buried according to the shorte? 
Order (B). This Order shall also be followed at the Burial oj 
still-born children . 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 87 

L. The Ordination of Ministers. 

^[ When a Candidate for the Ministry has been called to a parish, 
he shall be ordained as soon as possible. The Ordination shall 
be conducted by the President of the United Churchy or by a 
Minister whom he has appointed thereto. The Preside?it shall 
designate the Ministers who are to assist in the Ordination. Be- 
fore entering the church at the time appointed for Ordination , 
the Person, or persons, to be ordained shall put on their clerical 
vestments in the Sacristy. 

TI The Service, in connection with which the Ordination takes 
place, shall always be conducted according to the More Complete 
Order of the Morning Service. One of the Ministers officiates 
at the Altar, the other Ministers, together with the person, or 
Persons, to be ordained, seating the?nselves to the right and left of 
the same. If the Ordination take place on a Sunday forenoon, 
the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel for the day shall be used ; other- 
wise the following Collect for the 13th, and Epistle for the 12th, 
Sunday after Trinity, with the Gospel as recorded in St. fohn 
20 : 21-23. 

Collect. 

LORD God, heavenly Father: With all our heart 
we thank Thee that Thou hast permitted us to live in 
such blessed times as these, when we can hear Thy 
holy Gospel, and know Thy fatherly will, and behold 
Thy Son, Christ Jesus. We beseech Thine infinite 
mercy, graciously permit us to retain the light of Thy 
Word, and so govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, 
that we may never, fall from Thy Word, but may hold 
fast thereto, and finally be saved; through the same, 
Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and 
reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit 
ever one true God, world without end. Amen. 

The Holy Epistle is written by the Apostle St. Paul. 

AND such trust have we through Christ to God- 
ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think 
any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new 



88 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the 
letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the 
ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, 
was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not 
stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his 
countenance, which glory was to pass away: how shall 
not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory 
much more doth the ministration of righteousness ex- 
ceed in glory. 

The Holy Gospel is written by the Evangelist St. 
John. 

THUS said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto )'ou; 
as my Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And 
when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith 
unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose soever 
sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose 
soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 

T[ When the Apostles' Creed has been said, a short Hymn shall be 
sung, during -which the officiating Minister proceeds to the Al- 
tar. When the Hymn is ended, one of the Ministers shall stand 
before the Chancel and begin the Ordination Service as follows : 

BELOVED Congregation! God's Word admonisheth 
us to know them that labour among us, and are over 
us in the Lord, to pray for 1 them, and to esteem them 
highly in love for their work's sake. A new labourer 
(New labourers) in the Church is (are) presented to us 
this day. Candidate of Theology {name and previous 
position in life) has received a call to (the parish is 
named), and is now to be ordained to the Holy Office 
of the Ministry. Let us receive him in love, and present 
him before God in our prayers. 

\ The officiating Minister kneels before the Altar, and the person, 
or persons, to be ordained before the rails of the Altar together 
with the other Ministers. \ 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 89 

LORD Jesus Christ, Thou Who hast given to Thy 
Church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and 
teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work 
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
We give thanks unto Thee for Thy mercy, and bless 
Thy holy Name, that Thou hast not regarded our sins 
and unfaithfulness, but until the present day hast 
graciously preserved among us Thy holy Word and 
Thy precious Sacraments. We pray Thee to have 
mercy upon us, and to grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that 
He may enlighten and guide us, comfort and strengthen 
us; and may the sacred act, in which we are now to 
engage, be to the honour of Thy Name, to the increase 
of Thy kingdom, and to the blessing of this Thy serv- 
ant (these Thy servants), so that we may all be built 
up in Thee, Thou Rock of our salvation, which can not 
be moved for ever. Amen. 

U When the Prayer is ended, the officiating Minister and the 
other Ministers shall rise. The officiating Minister, shall in- 
tone or read the following : 

Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord! 

T[ The Congregation continues : 

Be all Thy graces now outpoured 
On the believer's mind and soul, 
To strengthen, save, and make us whole. 
Lord, by the brightness of Thy light, 
Thou in the faith dost men unite, 
Of every tongue and every nation, 
To give Thee praise and adoration. 
Hallelujah, hallelujah! 

Officiating Minister: O Lord, send forth Thy Spirit, 
and servants shall be created unto Thee. 

Choir and Congregation: And Thou makest all 
things new. 

Officiating Minister: The Lord be with you. 



90 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

Congregation: And with thy spirit. 

Officiating Minister: Let us pray. 

U The Ministers kneel before the rails of the Altar, on either side 
of the person to be ordained. 

LORD God, heavenly Father, Thou Who by Thy 
Holy Spirit dost enlighten and comfort all believing 
hearts: Grant that we may be guided by this Thy Spirit 
into all truth, and may evermore rejoice in His holy 
comfort; through pur Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, 
Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the 
Holy Spirit, ever one true God, world without end. 

The Congregation: Amen. 

'\ The Ministers and the person to be ordained shall then rise and 
take the seats they had previously occupied. The officiating 
Minister, turning to the Congregation, shall say : 

Let us hear the testimony of God's Word concerning 
this holy Office. 

\ One of the Ministers shall then rise and read : 

In the 28 th Chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew, 
from the 18th to the 20th verse, it is written 
thus: 

AND Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All 
power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go 
ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, 
baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe 
all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I 
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 

\ Two Stanzas af a suitable Hymn shall then be sung, after 
which another Minister reads ; 

In the 20th Chapter of the Book of Acts, the 17th 
verse and following, it is written thus: 

AND from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called 
the eiders of the Church. And when they were come 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day 
that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been 
with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all hu- 
mility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, 
which befell me by the lying in wait of the jews; and 
how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, 
but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, 
and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, 
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and 
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. For I have not 
shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the 
flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you 
overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath 
purchased with His own blood. And now, brethren, I 
commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, 
which is able to build you up, and to give you an in- 
heritance among all them which are sanctified. 

T[ Two more Stanzas shall the7i be sung, after which a7iother 
Minister reads : 

In the 5th Chapter of St. Paul's 2nd Epistle to the 
Corinthians, from the 17th to the 21st verse, it is writ- 
ten thus: 

IF any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old 
things are passed away; behold, all things are become 
new. And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled 
us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us 
the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was 
in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not 
imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath com- 
mitted unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then 
we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did be- 
seech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye 
reconciled to God. For he hath made Him to be sin 
for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the 
righteousness of God in Him. 



92 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

Tf Two more Stanzas shall then be sung, after which another 
Minister reads : 

In the 5th Chapter of the 1st Epistle of St. Peter 
from the 1st to the 4th verse, it is written thus: 

THE elders which are among you I exhort, who am 
also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, 
and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; 
feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the 
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not 
for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being 
lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the 
flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye 
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

^1 Another Stanza shall then be sung, during which the person 
to be ordained seats himself before the Altar. When this 
Stanza has been sung, the officiating Minister shall say : 

THAT word of God, which I would specially im- 
press upon your heart on this day of your ordination, 
is recorded in, etc. 

\ Having read the Text chosen for the Ordination Address, the 
officiating Minister shall proceed to explain and apply it. When 
the Address is ended, the person to be ordained shall kneel before 
the rails of the Altar, the Ministers shall rise, and the officiating 
Minister shall say to the one to be ordained: 

I CHARGE and enjoin upon thee: 

That thou preach the Word of God in its purity, as 
it is found in the Writings of the Prophets and Apos- 
tles, and is taught in the Confessions of our Church; 

That thou administer the two Sacraments according 
to Christ's own institution; 

That thou faithfully admonish thy hearers to a sin- 
cere repentance, and to a holy life in love toward God 
and man; and 

That thou thyself sincerely endeavor to live according 
to God's Word, so that thou mayest serve the Lord in 
truth as a faithful shepherd over the flock of God which 
hath been entrusted to thee. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 93 

Dost thou promise me before God the Omniscient, 
that, by the grace given thee of God, thou wilt faith- 
fully perform all this? 

Answer. I do. 

TT The officiating Minister shall say ; 

Then give me thine hand in token thereof. 

^[ The person to be ordained shall then rise and give his hand, 
first to the officiating Minister, then to the other Ministers from 
right to left. After this he shall kneel again. 

1 The officiating Minister shall then say : 

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost, I now commit unto thee the holy 
Office of the Ministry, with power and authority, as a 
true servant of God and of Jesus Christ, to declare 
God's Word both publicly and privately, to administer 
the Sacraments according to Christ' institution, to bind 
sin unto the obstinate, and to loose it unto the penitent, 
and otherwise to perform whatever belongeth to thy 
sacred calling according to the Word of God and the 
regulations of our Church. 

Let us pray. 

\ The officiating Minister shall then lay his hand upon the head 
of the perso?i to be ordained, the other Ministers doing the same. 
If more than one is to be ordained, the Minister shall distribute 
themselves in equal nui7ibers about each one of t/wse to be or- 
dained. The officiating Minister moves his hand from one to 
the other during the following Prayer. 

EVERLASTING and merciful God: Thou hast Thy- 
self taught us, through Thine only begotten Son, that 
the harvest is great but the labourers few, and that we 
should pray Thee to send forth labourers into Thy 
harvest. Hear Thou our prayer for him whom we 
ordain this day to be Thy servant in the Church. O 
Lord, keep him in Thy Name, and sanctify him in Thy 
truth. Strengthen him in faith and love toward Thee, 
and bestow upon him Thy Spirit with the gifts of 



94 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

ministration, that he may become a true labourer in 
Thy harvest. Grant that he may declare Thy Word 
with boldness and fidelity, that he may guide, comfort, 
and rebuke in all meekness and wisdom, and that in 
all things he may conduct himself as a good steward 
of the manifold grace of God. Do Thou Thyself be 
with him in every conflict and trial, and make him 
patient and humble in heart, that Thy strength may be 
shown in his weakness. Make his labours fruitful 
according to the good pleasure of Thy will; and, when 
his working day is ended, may he enter into the joys 
of Thy presence, and with all Thy saints inherit ever- 
lasting blessedness. Hear us, for Jesus Christ's sake. 
Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. 

From the heart let all say, Amen. 

T{ The Ministers answer : 
Amen. 

\ The officiating Minister: 
For Christ's sake, Amen. 

\ A Stanza of an appropriate Hymn shall then be sung, during 
which the officiating Minister kneels in silent Prayer before the 
Altar. At the same time the other Ministers, with the person 
newly ordained, kneel in silent Prayer before the rails of the 
Altar. 

\ When the Act of Ordination has thus been performed the Hymn 
before the Sermon shall be sung, after which a Sermon shall be 
Preached, either by the person newly ordained, or by one of the 
Ministers present, as determined by the President. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 95 

\ At the conclusion of the Sermon, the person newly ordainea 
shall take the Oath of Ordination. 

\ If more than one Person are ordained, the Ritual shall be modi- 
fied accordiiigly. 



M. The Installation of Pastors. 

\ All the Officers of the Congregation shall be seated in the fore- 
most pews of the Church, the Visitor and the Pastor before the 
rails of the Altar. After the singing of an appropriate Hymn, 
the Visitor, the Pastor, and the Officers of the Co7igregation shall 
rise. The Visitor shall then say : 

IN the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

FORASMUCH as Pastor N. N., who here presenteth 
himself before you, hath been duly called, examined, 
and ordained to the holy Office of the Ministry, and 
hath expressed the desire to be installed as the pastor 
of this congregation, I will now," in the Name of the 
Triune God, proceed to his installation by first direct- 
ing some questions to Pastor N. N. and to the officers 
of this congregation. 

DO you who are the officers of (?iame of co/igre- 
gation) on its behalf acknowledge that Pastor N. N. 
hath been regularly called to become the pastor of 
this congregation, and do you now stand ready to re- 
ceive him as such? 

Answer. We do. 

DOST thou, Pastor N. N., promise that in this con- 
gregation thou wilt publicly and privately declare the 
pure Word of God in accordance with the teachings of 
our Lutheran Church? 

Answer. I do. 



96 THE MIN'STERIAL acts. 

DOST thou promise to lead such a life, in public 
and private, as is becoming to thy Holy office and to 
thy calling as a minister of the Word? 

Answer. I do. 

DOST thou promise to be diligent in thy visits to 
the sick and poor and needy in the congregation, and 
to attend to the instruction of the young in the doc- 
trines of our Christian religion? 

Answer. I do. 

DOST thou promise to comply with all the rules and 
usages set forth in the constitution regularly adopted 
by this congregation? 

Answer. I do. 

GOD grant thee grace, then, to fulfill all these thy 
promises as a servant in His Church, to the glory of 
His Name, and to the salvation of souls. 

I ALSO ask you, who are the officers of this con- 
gregation: Do you, on its behalf, promise and obligate 
yourselves, as a Christian congregation, to esteem 
Pastor N. N. as the incumbent of the office of teaching 
among you, and to heed and obey him as such, accord- 
ing to the Word of God, and the constitution, usages 
and rules of this congregation? 

Answer. We do. 

DO you promise and obligate yourselves and this 
congregation, with all its members, to assist him by 
word and deed in the exercise of his office, and in the 
maintenance of churchly order and salutary discipline 
in the congregation? 

Answer. We do. 

AND do you promise, as a Christian congregation, 
to communicate to your pastor in all good things, and 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 97 

as such, faithfully and promptly to pay him the salary 
designated at the time you called him; and, on the 
whole, so to provide for him that he may labour among 
you without temporal anxieties? 

Answer. We do. 

ALL of which is required and promised by this con- 
gregation and its pastor. God grant that you may 
keep these promises unbroken before Him. 

HAVING heard these your promises, all made ac- 
cording to the Word of God, the confessions of the 
Lutheran Church, the usages and order of the United 
Church, and the regularly adopted constitution of this 
congregation, — I now install Pastor N. N. as the pastor 
of (?iame of co?igregatio?i), In the Name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

AND now may the chief Shepherd and Bishop of 
the Church so guide this pastor and congregation by 
His Holy Spirit, that they may be built upon the 
eternal foundation in Zion, Jesus Christ Himself being 
the chief corner stone. 

\ The Pastor and officers shall now take their seats. The Visitor 
shall then deliver a short Address to Pastor and Congregation, 
after which an appropriate Hymn is sung. 

^[ The Service shall then proceed as usual, the newly installed 
Pastor delivering the Sermon. 

^[ When the circumstances are such that the new Pastor must in- 
stall himself , he shall read the letter certifying his Call, and, 
in a short Address, shall co?nmend himself to the Congregation. 
Thus he installs himself in the other Congregations of his Parish 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 



N. The Installation of Church Officers. 

I. 

T[ The Installation of Church officers shall take place at the 
Morning Service, on such Sunday or Holy day as the Minister 
may designate. 

\ When the Hymn after the Sermon has been sung, the Minister 
and the Officers te be installed shall 'present themselves before 
the Chancel. The Minister shall then read the paper certify- 
ing the election of the Officers, aud, in a short Address upon 
some suitable Text, shall commend them to the Congregation. 

\ The Service shall then proceed as usual. 

II. 

\ The Installation of Church Officers shall take place at a regular 
Service, in' the presence of the Congregation. 

\ After the General Prayer, the Minister shall announce the 
names of those who have been elected to office. They shall then 
present themselves before the Altar, and the Minister shall state 
to them the duties of the offices to which they have been elected, 
as set forth in the Constitution of the Congregation, or in the 
words following : 

DEAR Brethren! You have been elected to serve 
as officers of this Church, according to its con- 
stitution. 

As such, it will be your duty to see that the Services 
of God's House are held at the proper times, and 
conducted decently and in order; that the pure Gospel 
be preached according to the faith of the Church; that 
only such be admitted to the pulpit as are approved by 
the constitution; that the necessary provisions be 
made for the instruction of the young; that proper 
discipline be maintained, the erring admonished, and 
incorrigible offenders excluded from the membership 
of the Church; and that the property of the Congre- 
gation, and what relates to its management, be duly 
cared for. 

You are to do your part in arranging and executing 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 99 

plans for the welfare of the congregation, and in 
providing for its necessary expenses; to assist the 
Pastor in attentions to the sick, in ministering to the 
relief of the poor and distressed, and in the cultivation 
of peace, goodwill, and charity among the members. 

You are alsa yourselves to set a good example, as 
servants of Christ and officers in His Church. 

And in order that the congregation may know that 
you are willing to take upon you these duties, I ask 
you, in the presence of God, and the people here as- 
sembled: 

DO you accept the offices and duties thus set before 
you; and will you, by the help of God, faithfully ful- 
fill the same according to His Word and the Con- 
fessions of our Church? If so, make it manifest by 
saying, Yes. 

Answer. Yes. 

^J Then the Minister, taking the right hand of each of the Officers- 
elect, shall say : 
\ Or, if the Church Council consist of Deacons only, those to be 

installed shall kneel, and the Minister shall lay his right hand 

on the head of each, and shall say : 

GOD the Father in heaven, Who hath called you 
to the service of His Church, enlighten and strengthen 
you in your office, that you may prove a good and 
faithful steward, to the glory of His Name. Amen. 

Let us pray. 

LORD God, heavenly Father: We thank Thee for Thy 
good and faithful care of Thy Church on earth, and 
that Thou hast given to this congregation men willing 
to serve it for Thy sake. Grant unto them, we beseech 
Thee, the gifts of Thy Holy Spirit, that they may 
faithfully perform the duties of their office. Let Thy 
blessing rest upon the whole congregation, and so lead 
and direct it by Thy Spirit, that it may be a Church 



100 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

holy and without blemish; through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

^[ He shall then say to the newly Installed : 

GO then, dear Brethren, as ye have been called. 
Be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the 
work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your 
labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

\ The Service shall then be closed in the usual way. 



O. The Consecration of a Church.* 

\ The President of the United Church designates the Ministers 
who are to take part in the Consecration. The bell of the new 
Church shall be rimg on the evening of the day preceding the 
one on which the Consecration takes place. 

If When, on the day of Consecration, the hour for Service is come t 
the President, or the Minister whom he has appointed to officiate, 
shall proceed to the Altar, the other Ministers seating them- 
selves to the right and left of the same. During each Prayer 
the officiating Minister shall kneel before the Altar, the Visitor 
and the other Ministers before the rails of the Altar. 

*{ The Service shall begin with the following Prayer {closing with 
the Tor d 's Prayer), read before the Chancel by the next young- 
est Minister. 

O LORD, everlasting and merciful God: We give 
Thee thanks for this Thy fatherly goodness that Thou 
hast enabled us to build this house, which is now to be 
consecrated to Thy glory. We pray Thee by Thy 
Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith in Thine only be- 
gotten Son, Jesus Christ, to fix our hearts upon Thy holy 
Word, and to unite us in devout prayer, so that we may 
consecrate this house aright; and graciously grant 
that it may always be a holy place, whence Thine 



* Remark. A Church that has undergone repairs is also to be 
consecrated, when the repairs have been so extecsiveas to require 
the re-building of the Chancel. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 101 

eternal blessing shall issue unto this Thy congregation 
with comfort and help, in life and in death. This we 
ask of Thee in Christ's Name. Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

\ An appropriate Hymn shall then be sung. When this is ended, 
the Visitor shall present himself before the Chancel, briefly 
stating the occasion for the solemn gathering, and exhorting 
the Congregation to take part in the Service. Another Hymn 
shall then be sung, after which the officiating Minister shall 
conduct the Altar Seririce, with the Confession of Sins, the 
Kyrie, and the Gloria, when the More Complete Order of Ser- 
vice is used, and shall intone, or read, the Collect for the First 
Sunday after Easter, with the words iiitroductory thereto. 

LORD God, heavenly Father: We give Thee thanks 
for Thine unspeakable mercy, that through Thy Son 
Thou hast established among us Thy holy Gospel and 
precious Sacraments, to our comfort and to the for- 
giveness of our sins. We beseech Thee to grant us 
Thy Holy Spirit, that from the heart we may believe 
Thy Word, and may daily be strengthened in faith by 
Thy holy Sacraments, until in the end we obtain 
eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our 
Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity 
of the Holy Spirit, ever one true God, world without 
end. Amen. 

\ If the Shorter Order of the Morning Service is used, the Col- 
lect shall follow immediately after the Hymn. 

If The first Stanza of a suitable Hymn shall the7i be sung, after 
which the Pastor loci shall rise and read : 

In the 8th Chapter of the First Book of the Kings 
it is written thus: 



102 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

AND Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in 
the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and 
spread forth his hands toward heaven; and he said, 
Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in 
heaven above, or on earth beneath, Who keepest 
covenant and mercy with Thy servants that walk be- 
fore Thee with all their heart; Who hast kept with 
Thy servant David my father that Thou promisedst 
him; Thou spakest also with Thy mouth, and hast ful- 
filled it with Thine hand, as it is this day. Therefore 
now, Lord God of Israel, keep with Thy servant David 
my father that Thou promisedst him, saying, There 
shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the 
throne of Israel; so that Thy children take heed to 
their way, that they walk before Me as thou hast 
walked before Me. And now, O God of Israel, let Thy 
word, I pray Thee, be verified, which Thou spakest 
unto Thy servant David my father. But will God in- 
deed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and 
heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less 
this house that I have builded? Yet have Thou respect 
unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplication, 
O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the 
prayer, which Thy servant prayeth before Thee to day; 
that Thine eyes may be open toward this house night 
and day, even toward the place of which Thou hast 
said, My Name shall be there; that Thou mayest 
hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant shall 
make toward this place. And hearken Thou to the 
supplication of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, 
when they shall pray toward this place; and hear 
Thou ia heaven Thy dwelling place: and when Thou 
hearest, forgive. 

And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of 
Israel with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the Lord, 
that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according 
to all that He promised; there hath not failed one 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS, 103 

word of all His good promise, which He promised by 
the hand of Moses His servant. The Lord our God be 
with us, as He was with our fathers; let Him not leave 
us, nor forsake us; that He may incline our hearts un- 
to Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His com- 
mandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, 
which He commanded our fathers. And let these my 
words, wherewith I have made supplication before the 
Lord, be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night, 
that He maintain the cause of His servant, and the 
cause of His people Israel at all times, as the matter 
shall require; that all the people of the earth may 
know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else. 
Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our 
God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His command- 
ments, as at this day. 

% The second Stanza of the same Hymn shall then be sung, after 
which another Minister shall read: 

In the 84th Psalm it is written thus: 
HOW amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! 
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of 
the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the 
living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, 
and the swallow a nest for herself, wh^re she may lay 
her young, even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my 
King and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in Thy 
house; they will be still praising Thee. Selah. Blessed 
is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart 
are the ways of them. Who passing through the val- 
ley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the 
pools. They go from strength to strength,*every one 
of them in Zion appeareth before God. O Lord God of 
hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. 
Selah. Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the 
face of Thine anointed. For a day in Thy courts is 
better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper 
in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of 



104 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; 
the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will 
He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord 
of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee. 

X The third Stanza of the same Hymn shall then be sung, after 
which another Minister shall ?'ead : 

■ In the ipoth Psalm it is written thus: 
MAKE a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 
Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His 
presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is 
God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; 
we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His 
courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless 
His Name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is ever- 
lasting; and His- truth endureth to all generations. 

^| A fourth Stanza having been sung, another Minister 
shall read: 

In the ioth Chapter of the Epistle to the tjebrews it 
is written thus: 

HAVING therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into 
the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living 
way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the 
veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an high priest 
over the house of God; let us draw near with a true 
heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts 
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies 
washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profes- 
sion of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful 
that promised;) and let us conside one another to 
provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking 
the assembling of ourselves together, 'as the manner of 
some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the 
more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin 
wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of 
the truth, there rcmaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 



THE MINISTER'AL ACTS. 105 

but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery 
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

Tf A fifth Stanza having been sting, another Minister shall read : 

In the 17th Chapter of the Gospel of St. John it is 
written thus: 

THESE words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to 
heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy 
Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee; as Thou 
hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should 
give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. 
And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the 
only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent. 
I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the 
work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O 
Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own Self with the 
glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I 
have manifested Thy Name unto the men which Thou 
gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and 
Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept ThyWord. 
Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou 
hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given unto 
them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have 
received them, and have known surely that I came out 
from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst 
send Me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, 
but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are 
Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; 
and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more 
in the world, but these are in the world, and I come 
to Thee. Holy Father; keep through Thine own Name 
those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be 
one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, 
I kept them in Thy Name; those that Thou gavest Me 
I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of 
perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled. And 
now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the 



106 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in them- 
selves. I have given them Thy Word; and the world 
hath hated them, because they are not of the world, 
even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou 
shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou 
shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of 
the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify 
them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth. As Thou 
hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent 
them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify 
Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the 
truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them 
also which shall believe on Me through their Word; 
that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, 
and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; that 
the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And 
the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; 
that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, 
and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in 
one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent 
Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. 
Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given 
Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold 
My glory, which Thou hast given Me; for Thou lovedst 
Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous 
Father, the world hath not known Thee; but I have 
known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast 
sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy Name, 
and will declare it; that the love wherewith Thou hast 
loved Me may be in them, and I in them. 

^[ A sixth Stanza having been sung, the Visitor shall read : 

In the 2ist Chapter of the Revelation of St. John it 
is written thus: 

AND I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, com- 
ing down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride 
adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 107 

out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God 
is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they 
shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with 
them, and be their God. And God shall wipe' away 
all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more 
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there 
be any more pain; for the former things are passed 
away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, 
I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write; 
for these words are true and faithful. And He said 
unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the be- 
gining and the end. I will give unto him that is 
athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 

^[ A seventh Stanza shall then be sung. 

\ If, besides the Visitor and the two Ministers who read the Open- 
ing and Closing Prayers, there be fewer then five Ministers 
Present, the next youngest and, if necessary, also the youngest 
Minister, shall take part in the reading of the Scripture 
Passages. 

\ When the reading of these passages is ended, the officiating 
Minister shall say the Apostles' 1 Creed as follows : 

Let us confess our holy faith. 

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of 
Heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; 
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the 
Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was 
crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; 
The third day He rose again from the dead; He 
ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of 
God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come 
to judge the quick and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian 
Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness 



108 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life 
everlasting. 

The Congregation shall sing or say : 

Amen. 

*ft The officiating Minister, after the singing of a short Hymn, 
shall go into the Pulpit and deliver a Sermon. When the Ser- 
mon is ended, he shall say : 

DEARLY Beloved! As all things are sanctified by 
the Word of God and prayer, let us now offer up our 
common supplications, in Christ's Name saying: 

LORD God, heavenly Father: We thank Thee that by 
Thy Holy Spirit Thou dost everywhere gather together 
Thy holy Church, and dost build unto Thee a spiritual 
temple of living stones upon the one chief corner stone, 
which is Jesus Christ. We beseech Thine infinity mercy, 
look graciously upon Thy Church in this land. Build 
it up in the Christian faith; and let the saving work of 
Thy Spirit prosper in this congregation, and in this 
house which we shall now consecrate to Thy glory. 
Stretch out Thine almighty hand in mercy over this 
house, and always keep far from it everything that is 
unholy and impure. Bless the preaching of Thy Word 
in this place, and may it be proclaimed from this pul- 
pit in its purity and in demonstration of the Spirit and 
of power. Here let the grace of Thy Baptism be im- 
parted to our children, here satisfy us with the holy 
Body and Blood of Thy Son. Make this a house of 
prayer for Thy people, and let Thine ear be open to 
every petition and humble request, to all thanksgiving 
and praise, which from this place shall ascend unto 
Thee. Always send hither faithful shepherds and 
teachers. Grant that their ministry may be fruitful; 
and awaken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that when 
we are summoned to appear in Thine house, we may 
joyfully enter therein to hear the Gospel of Thy grace. 

Lord God, let Thy Word have free course among 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. IOC/ 

us. Grant that it may accompany us into our homes, 
in all our undertakings, and upon all our paths. Bless 
our people and land, our President, and all our magis- 
trates. Comfort and help all those who are sorrowing, 
struggling, and dying. And when finally we are laid 
to rest in the grave, do Thou hold Thy hand over our 
dust, and grant us a blessed resurrection on the last 
day, that we may dwell with Thee in the everlasting 
city, the New Jerusalem, where there is no temple; for 
Thou, O Lord, almighty God, and the Lamb, art its 
temple. Hear our prayer, for Thy Name's sake; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

U The7i shall he say : 

I NOW declare this church building, with all that 
belongeth unto it, to be consecrated and set apart to the 
glory of God, and to the edifying of His Church in 
the faith which is in Jesus Christ. [In like manner I 
declare yonder place of burial to be consecrated and 
set apart as the resting place of the bodies of those 
who have fallen asleep]*, — In the Name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

Peace be to this house, and to all who enter there- 
in. [Peace be upon the resting place of the dead]*. 
Amen. 



* Remark. The words enclosed in this parenthesis are ueed 
only when a new Cemetery is consecrated in connection with 
the church building. 



110 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

^[ Then shall follow the Apostolic Benediction, or the Aaronic 
Benediction, according to the Order of Morning Service used 
in the Cojigregation. 

*{ After the Sermon a?i appropriate Hymn shall be sung. When 
this is ended, the officiating Minister shall intone, or read, the 
Collect for the Word, and shall pronounce the Benediction : 

THE Lord bless thee, and keep thee. 

The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be 
gracious unto thee. 

The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and 
give thee peace. Amen. 

\ An appropriate closing Hymn shall then be sung, after which 
the youngest Minister, standing before the Cha?icel, shall read 
the following Prayer, {closing with the Lords Prayer) : 

WE give thanks to Thee, O Lord, and praise Thine 
infinite mercy, that Thou hast been our dwelling place 
in all generations, and hast bestowed upon us and our 
fathers the knowledge of Thy grace in Christ, and hast 
permitted us to dwell with Thee during the time of our 
sojourning upon the earth. We humbly pray Thee: 
Do not look upon our sins, and take not Thy grace 
from us, but abide with us according to Thy faithful- 
ness, and be a sure dwelling place for the generations 
to come. Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, 
and Thy glory unto their children. Let the beauty of 
the Lord our God be upon us, that -it may shine upon 
us in Thy holy Church, until the day of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 



THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. Ill 

P. The Consecration of a Cemetery. 

Tf A Cemetery adjoining a Church recently built ts not to be con- 
secrated at a separate Service, but at the same time as the Church 
is consecrated. If the new Cemetery is at a distanee from the 
Church to be consecrated, or if the new Cemetery adjoins a 
Church already consecrated, or if an older Cemetery has been 
extended, the Cemetery (its extension^) shall be consecrated with 
God 's Word and Prayer by the Visitor, or, ufon his authoriza- 
tion, by the Pastor loci. The Consecration should take place 
immediately before the first burial in the Cemetery, and, if 
possible, the day, on which it is to take place, should be an- 
nounced from the pulpit on the Sunday previous. 

^[ After the singing of an appropriate Hymn, the officiating Min- 
ister shall read one or more selections fro?n the Scriptures conce?'n- 
ing death and the resurrection ; such, for instance, as: Ps. 103 : 
13-18; Is.26:iq-2o; St. fohnj ; 24-2Q ; 1 Cor. 13 : 16-26 ; 1 
Co?'. 13 : 33-36, and 42-44 ; Rev. 14 : 13. He shall then deliver 
an Address, at the close of which he shall say : 

DEARLY Beloved! As all things are sanctified by 
ths Word of God and prayer, let us now offer up our 
common supplications, in Christ's Name saying: 

O LORD, everlasting and merciful God: Unto Thee 
do we commit this place, wherein our dead are to rest 
until Thou shalt call them forth from their graves. 
Take it into Thy care and keeping, and protect it 
against all desecration; and grant that the seed which 
here is sown in corruption may be raised in incor- 
ruption. 

O Lord, heavenly Father: Thou hast power over life 
and death, and Thou hast determined the number of 
our days. When Thou shalt call away from us those 
whom Thou hast given us, and we shall here commit 
them to the earth, so strengthen our faith that, at their 
graves, we may humbly hope in Thee Who didst give 
and didst take away. O Lord Jesus Christ, Thou faith- 
ful Saviour, Who for us didst pass through death and 
the grave, abide .with us in the anguish of death. Thou 
Who art the Resurrection and the Life, raise us up to 



112 THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

life everlasting. Thou Who art the Head and Saviour 
of Thy Church, grant that we may be gathered together 
with Thee, and with all who are Thine, in Thy Father's 
house. O Lord, Holy Spirit, Thou supreme Comforter, 
fill with Thy divine comfort all the hearts that sorrow 
here, quicken the spiritually dead, draw us all unto 
Thee, and grant that we may have our treasure in 
heaven. 

Holy Lord God, holy almighty God, holy and merci- 
ful Saviour, Thou God eternal, suffer us not to perish 
in the bitter anguish of death. Suffer us not to fall 
from the true comfort of faith. Lord, have mercy! 
Amen. 

OUR Father, Who art in heaven; Hallowed be Thy 
Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth 
as it is in heaven; Give us this day our daily bread; 
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, 
and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

If He shall then say : 

I NOW declare this place to be consecrated and set 
apart as the resting place of the bodies of those who 
have fallen asleep, In the Name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

The Lord cause His peace to abide upon this rest- 
ing place of the dead, until the great day of the resur- 
rection. Amen. 

\ The Interment shall then take place. 

\ If no Interment is to take place, the Service of Consecration- 
shall close with the Benediction^ and the singing of an ap- 
propriate Hymn. 



SUPPLEMENT. 

The Oath prescribed for the Ordination of the 
Clergy shall be taken as follows: — 

I, N. N., do promise and witness before God: 

That I will faithfully preach the d'vine doctrines 
contained in the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles 
and in the Symbolical Books of the Norwegian Luther- 
an Church; 

That I will properly administer the Holy Sacraments 
according to Christ's institution and the prescribed 
Order of the Norwegian Lutheran Church; 

That I will strive, in the discharge of my official 
duties and in all other respects, to live such a life as 
becometh a Minister of God's Word. 

All this I promise to fulfill as sincerely as I desire, 
in truth and from the heart, that God may help me 
^through His Holy Gospel. 



INDEX. 



THE ORDER OF SERVICE. 

I. The Morning Service: Page 

A. The More Complete Order 5 

B. The Shorter Order . 19 

C. The Service for Good Friday 29 

D. The Service for the Day of Thanksgiving 29 

E. The Service for the Day of Humiliation and Prayer 31 

II. The Other Services: 

A. The Early Service , 36 

B. The Evening Service. 36 

C. The Week-day Lenten Service 37 

D. The Week-day Communion Service.. 37 

E. Closing Collects for Various Occasions. .'. 38 

Supplement: 

The Litany 4a 

THE MINISTERIAL ACTS. 

A. The Baptism of Infants in the Church 44 

B. Private Baptism 49 

C. Private Baptism Confirmed in the Church 50 

D. The Baptism of Adults 54 

E. Confirmation 59 

F. Public Confession and Absolution 62 

G. The Communion of the Sick 66 

H. The Solemnization of Marriage 71 

I. Blessing Civil Marriage 75 

J. The Churching of Mothers 79 

K. The Burial of the Dead 80 

L. The Ordination of Ministers 87 

M. The Installation of Pastors 95 

N. The Installation of Church Officers 98 

O. The Consecration of a Church ioo 

P. The Consecration of a Cemetery 1 1 1 

Supplement: 

The Oath Prescribed for the Ordination of the Clergy.. 113 



,}UN 



15 W^ 



